Everton manager David Moyes will be looking to bolster his squad ahead of deadline day on Monday.
At the time of writing, the Toffees have yet to make a signing during the January transfer window, although it isn’t for the lack of trying.
Moyes’ first few weeks have seen the Goodison Park outfit move away from the Premier League relegation zone, putting some breathing space between them and Leicester City.
Is a first January signing imminent, however? As it appears the Merseyside club have agreed on a deal to bring a former Premier League midfielder back to England.
Everton's bid to sign Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz played for Southampton in the top flight before joining Juventus on loan for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
He made an appearance against Newcastle at the start of the current season, yet moved to Flamengo for £16m not long after. Now it looks as though he is set for a swift return to England, although a deal has yet to be confirmed.
The move could give the club a boost, no doubt about that. Might they be targeting someone else during the current window? Someone who could shine with Alcaraz.
Everton's search for a striker
As reported earlier this week, Everton could make a late move for Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi to bolster their attacking department.
Transfer Focus
Beto has been linked with a return to Serie A, hence the reports emerging from Italy regarding the Toffees’ interest in Awoniyi.
West Ham United previously showed a desire to sign the Forest striker during the current window, although they moved on to look at other options, leaving the door ajar for the Goodison Park side to make a late swoop.
Any move could cost the club around £18m, as Forest will be keen to recoup what they paid out to sign the striker.
If he does join, it could give Moyes a licence to finally ditch Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is entering into the final few months of his contract at the club.
Why Everton need to replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin was subbed off during the 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion recently due to a hamstring injury, appearing to look like bad news for Moyes and the rest of the club.
It isn’t as bad as first feared, with the Englishman missing just a few weeks of action, but this will place pressure on Moyes to potentially bring in some cover ahead of the deadline on Monday evening.
The striker has managed to score just three goals in 22 Premier League matches so far this season. Against Tottenham Hotspur, he ended a 16-game scoreless streak by scoring against the North Londoners.
It certainly appears as though the centre-forward will depart the club once his contract expires this summer, and he will have plenty of clubs interested in his signature.
The 27-year-old is currently earning £100k-per-week and getting this figure off the wage bill could allow Moyes some flexibility in the transfer market ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2023/24
38
8
3
2022/23
18
2
1
2021/22
18
5
2
2020/21
39
21
3
2019/20
41
15
1
2018/19
38
8
3
2017/18
44
8
5
2016/17
11
1
0
Calvert-Lewin has been underwhelming for quite some time now, and perhaps it would benefit all parties involved if he leaves in a few months.
Awoniyi would be a more than able replacement, especially if Moyes can ensure that he will be the main attacking option for the Toffees.
Why Awoniyi could be a great signing for Everton
The Nigerian striker made his mark at Union Berlin during the 2021/22 campaign, scoring 15 Bundesliga goals for the club along with netting four in Europe. In the words of journalist David Hundeyin, he is a “monster of an athlete”.
These performances attracted interest across the continent, but it was Forest who secured his signature, hoping that the 27-year-old centre-forward could score the goals which would ensure they remained in the top flight.
The 2022/23 season was a success for Awoniyi, who scored ten league goals while chipping in with an assist as the club narrowly avoided the drop.
His goal tally dropped to six last season, but his performances were praised by journalist Bence Bocsak, who said: “Such a smart signing from Nottingham Forest last summer. He is a fantastic forward.”
Unfortunately, he has had to play second fiddle to Chris Wood this term, with Nuno preferring the former Newcastle United striker. In fairness, he has netted 17 goals in the Premier League, firing the club into the top four.
Awoniyi, on the other hand, has scored just once and a move away from the City Ground could give him the chance to become the focal point of a top-flight team once again.
If Moyes can bring in both Alcaraz and Awoniyi ahead of Monday evening, the duo could fire the club to Premier League survival, without a shadow of a doubt.
Why Awoniyi could shine with Alcaraz
When compared to his positional peers in similar leagues, Alcaraz ranks in the top 2% for progressive carries and successful dribbles per 90, while also ranking in the top 4% for shot-creating actions and in the top 6% for touches in the opposition penalty area.
These statistics prove that the Argentinian midfielder loves to get forward as often as possible, creating chances for his teammates in the final third on a regular basis. His presence in the opposition penalty area could see him work well with Awoniyi.
Ranking in the top 9% last season in the Premier League for goals per shots on target suggests Awoniyi would benefit from Alcaraz’s ability to bomb forward, taking advantage of his creative talents to score consistently for Everton.
In theory, it looks like a match made in heaven. In reality, Moyes will have to work his magic to bring both players to Merseyside before the window closes.
If so, then Everton should comfortably avoid a relegation battle, maintaining their top-flight status ahead of the move to their new stadium next season.
Everton have now been offered chance to sign "flamboyant" 25 y/o speedster
He could attack a real attacking threat.
1 ByHenry Jackson