Everton: Troy Parrott battle intensifies, David Moyes must consider Ayase Ueda as alternative
Troy Parrott is surely not set to join Everton this summer and so they must target another high-flying Eredivisie striker in Feyenoord's Ayase Ueda.
Parrott‘s career has burst into life over the last 12 months after some impressive developments at both club and international level.
He failed to ever fully break into the first-team picture at Tottenham during his seven-year spell at the club, which ended when he permanently joined AZ Alkmaar in 2024.
The Republic of Ireland striker netted regularly in his maiden season with the Dutch club, and has scored 27 times so far this term while also firing his country to the World Cup playoffs with a hat-trick against Hungary.
Parrott is a known target for Everton ahead of the next transfer window, but they are facing a real challenge to land his services, and should focus their efforts elsewhere.
| Detail | Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar) | Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord) |
| 25/26 Goals | 27 Goals (39 appearances) | 22 Goals (34 appearances) |
| Current Status | Strong interest from Milan | Feyenoord top scorer |
| Everton Pull | Boyhood fan / Irish teammates | Moyes "Utility" target |
| Est. Transfer Fee | £25m | £30m - £35m |
Everton face competition for Troy Parrott from AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund
Parrott is one of the most in-form strikers in European football right now, with three goals and two assists in his last two outings to help Alkmaar to wins over Sparta Prague and Heracles.
It is clear that he is destined for big things and is set to leave the Netherlands this summer, with numerous Premier League teams linked to his services alongside the Toffees, such as Leeds, West Ham and Fulham.
Football Insider have revealed in the last few days that AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund want Parrott, and he is understood to be available for around £25m ahead of next season.
While that is obviously a fee that Everton will feel they can afford, it will surely be tough to sell the idea of joining David Moyes' side over a Champions League side like those aforementioned pair.
The Toffees could well end up qualifying for European competition this season, but stand little chance of making the UCL as they currently sit six points away in eighth place.
Milan and Dortmund, meanwhile, both sit safely in second in their respective leagues, and the money they earn from making the Champions League will surely put them above Everton in terms of wage offerings as well.
Ueda has scored more in the Eredivisie and is a more realistic target for Everton
With Parrott possibly out of the picture, Everton should turn to someone who has scored even more than the Irishman in the league this season.
Feyenoord frontman Ueda has bagged 22 goals in 25 league matches so far this term, with successive braces in recent games against Breda and Excelsior.
He has been linked to Brighton in recent weeks, so would clearly be a realistic signing for Everton should they want to bring him in.
Ueda scored eight goals in nine World Cup qualifying matches to fire Japan to the World Cup, while he has also bagged in the Champions League and Europa League in the last few seasons.
At 27, he still has several years playing at his peak, and would offer a much more mobile and versatile option to Moyes than either of the Toffees' two current strikers.