Everton’s need for a top forward is evident as the club sit in 13th place with a -1 goal difference. Ndiaye has led the way with 4 in 11 appearances, but Everton’s £25 million forward Beto has only managed 1 in 11.
When you consider that Haaland has scored 14 in that time, it is clear the difference a top goalscorer can make. The betting odds for anyone to overtake Haaland are already minimal, with the giant Norwegian priced at 1/12.
Confident (or should we say crazy) Everton fans can access betting options open to US players that offer competitive odds of 500/1 for Beto to transform his fortunes and finish as the league’s top scorer, but it might need a lot of injuries for rivals and a whole lot of luck.
However, his chances could be compromised even further if Everton are successful with a move for Manchester United’s forgotten forward Joshua Zirkzee. The 24-year-old Dutch forward joined United from Bologna in a deal worth around £35 million in the Summer of 2024.
Seven goals and three assists from 54 Manchester United appearances have not represented the kind of return needed for Amorim’s team, and this has seen him drop down the pecking order after the arrival of Sesko.
The former Bayern Munich forward is desperate for game time as his hopes for a place at the 2026 World Cup continue to fade. While Everton is keen to secure a loan signing, there have also been links with Roma, West Ham, and Borussia Dortmund.
Having played in Germany and enjoyed the best football of his career in Italy with Bologna, a move abroad is not out of the question.
However, if he is to have a future at Manchester United, a move to a Premier League team could give him valuable time to acclimatise to the English game.
A move to Everton could suit the forward rather than going down to London, with it likely that he could remain in his current home rather than uproot.
The resurgence of Jack Grealish at Everton could be another reason why Manchester United and the player chose the club.
Whether Ruben Amorim sees Zirkzee as part of the club’s future plans could be key to any move. If he doesn’t see Zirkzee as the player to help Manchester United return to their former glory, he could hope to cash in if any bids come in.
A potential move to Borussia Dortmund could be part of a deal that sees Karim Adeyemi move in the other direction.
While Zirkzee is one option, another rumoured move to bolster the forward line could see Japanese international Daizen Maeda arrive from Celtic.
The industrious forward admitted that he was keen to move in the Summer, but the Scottish club’s inability to find a replacement stopped them from accepting any bids.
It is likely that Everton will be active in the transfer market over Christmas, and a forward will be a priority for David Moyes.
