Everton are heading into the final hours of Deadline Day with the intention to strengthen their forward line and now a new potential transfer target has emerged.
What’s the latest?
According to Daily Mail journalist Simon Jones, Everton are showing interest in Reading striker Lucas Joao (15:16pm).
As per the report, the Toffees are looking to add a late addition to their strike force and have now identified the Championship player as a potential option in the dying hours of Deadline Day.
Moshiri heading for a howler
Farhad Moshiri and the powerbrokers at Goodison Park have the responsibility in the remaining hours of the transfer window to provide Sean Dyche with new additions that can make an instant positive impact, with the side struggling yet again to retain their Premier League status.
The Toffees are 19th in the league table, two points deep into the relegation zone after 20 outings and currently have the second-worst goal tally in the entire top flight, so there is no doubt that bringing in a consistent striker would give the squad their best chance at survival.
Following Anthony Gordon’s departure, the newly-appointed manager has been left with limited options in his attacking threat with Neal Maupay, Demarai Gray, Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin left as his main source of goals over the second half of the season.
Maupay was brought in by Frank Lampard in the summer to replace Richarlison’s goal contributions after the Brazilian made a move to London to join Tottenham Hotspur and so far it hasn’t worked out.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion striker has only found the back of the net once this season so far with a goal conversion of just 8% from his 13 shots, and now Moshiri could be heading for another howler with the signing of Joao.
Over 22 league appearances, the 6 foot 4 dud has only scored five goals, delivered no assists and created no big chances, as well as averaging just 0.3 shots on target and 0.4 key passes per game, proving that he is not a reliable performer in the penalty area.
Like Maupay, Joao hasn’t made a huge impact on his team despite being in the Championship this season which leaves little hope for him to be the difference-maker that saves Everton from a spell in the second tier themselves.
With that being said, Moshiri must put his focus into identifying targets who not only have Premier League experience as an advantage but also a consistent output in front of goal to help Everton pick up the crucial points needed to avoid relegation at the end of the season.