‘From what I’m hearing’ – Everton backed to get ‘quick deal done’ before January window shuts
Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor could make a late switch to Everton in the January transfer window to replace Beto.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, on the late January business which the Toffees could conduct.
Beto’s future at Everton is uncertain, and two Italian clubs, Como and Fiorentina, have expressed their interest in signing the 27-year-old.
Isidor was being scouted by top clubs earlier in the season, but his form at Sunderland has dropped off with no goals in his last 12 appearances.
Everton face ‘issues’ in late transfer business
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has heard that Beto’s departure from the club may not be finalised before the transfer deadline.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Everton are assessing their options if Beto does leave.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think that’s going to be a straight deal. If Beto goes, then I think he [Isidor] would be coming in as backup, but I don’t know if the Beto deal is going to get done from what I’m hearing.
“There are some issues. I think Moyes quite likes Beto, likes his attitude and training. And I think he may just stick with the [Thierno] Barry combination with Beto coming on at the end. That seems to be sort of starting to produce some sort of benefit.
“Obviously not as much as they’d hoped, but still that’s the one area though. But if Beto does go then I think Isidor may be one option that could come in. There are a couple of others that we’re looking at, but I don’t think any are as far advanced certainly as Isidor at the moment as a potential quick deal to be done.”
Everton assess second striker option
Everton have also identified Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri as a potential replacement for Beto, if he was to leave.
En-Nesyri is a target for Everton if they can offload Beto, with the 28-year-old having scored eight goals in 25 appearances for Fenerbahce this season.
The Toffees could do with extra firepower up-front, with Thierno Barry their top scorer in the Premier League with just five goals.