Everton Insider reveals internal striker solution as David Moyes left 'high and dry'

Everton may turn to centre-back Michael Keane to provide auxiliary striker cover between now and the January transfer window.

That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who pointed out that the defender was previously a frontman during his time in youth football.

A disastrous deadline day left saw the Merseysiders sell Beto to Fiorentina, before ultimately missing out on Folarin Balogun as his replacement.

Wyness believes that David Moyes has been left "high and dry" by the club hierarchy, and feels that he may now look for creative solutions to "rescue" the situation.

The Scottish businessman believes that Keane may represent one potential option if cover is needed, but it would be far from an ideal solution.

Everton's late moves in the transfer market have ultimately left Thierno Barry as their only senior striker, a situation that has left supporters raging.

Everton could turn to 'bizarre' striker option

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that it is "not the most ridiculous thought" for Everton to turn to Keane up front on occasion.

He acknowledged that he is "clutching at straws" with that suggestion, but feels that it would not be totally surprising to see the veteran do a brief stint at the top of the pitch.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he explained how Moyes is likely to search for an internal solution.

"One of the bizarre options they've got, and it's always been a bit of a standing joke, but certainly a standing comment at the club, is that the best striker at the club has been Michael Keane," he said.

"He plays at the back, but actually he started life as a forward, and they've always said that they've pushed him up front before.

"It's not the most ridiculous thought to have somebody like a Michael Keane in there to try and put things in the back of the net and become a poacher in the box, which he has done occasionally, and he can finish, and actually scored a very good goal last season. 

"I'm afraid we're clutching at straws with these sorts of options. But that's the situation that we've got ourselves into. And I was watching the Balogun thing very closely all the way through, and I could see the danger signs flashing. 

"You've got to try and plan these things and have your eventualities already in hand. I'm afraid they've failed on a number of situations in this transfer window.

"I'm with the fans all the way to say that Moyes has been left high and dry with one forward right now. I've been trying to be creative and help them rescue the situation, but I'm afraid it should never have come to this."

Everton backed to launch move for Mauro Icardi

Wyness previously told Football Insider earlier this week that Everton could consider a move to sign former PSG striker Mauro Icardi on a free transfer.

The Toffees are still able to sign and register players who are currently without a club, and the Argentine netted 16 goals for Galatasaray last term.

Wyness outlined Icardi and Anthony Martial as the two "standouts" on the free agent market at the moment, and noted they are one potential solution that Everton could explore.

He acknowledged that Icardi's previous off-field issues would provide a concern, but does not feel that Everton are in a position to be picky as to who they turn to.