Farbzio Romano: Everton make move to sign £17m striker

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Everton Turn to En-Nesyri as Goals Become Priority

Everton’s January has developed a familiar edge of urgency, and the search for goals has once again taken centre stage. As David Moyes assesses a side short of cutting edge, attention has turned to Youssef En-Nesyri, a striker with a track record that immediately commands respect. Credit for breaking the key development goes to Fabrizio Romano, whose update has sharpened the focus around Goodison Park.

That single update hints at decisiveness, something Everton supporters have craved after watching familiar patterns play out in front of goal this season.

Striking Numbers Tell Everton Story

The statistics are stark. Everton’s centre forwards have managed just six league goals between them all season, with Thierno Barry and Beto both stuck on three. That lack of productivity came into sharp relief in the FA Cup exit to Sunderland, where both players missed penalties in a shootout defeat that felt symptomatic rather than surprising.

In contrast, En-Nesyri’s recent record offers reassurance. He scored 30 goals last season for Fenerbahçe and amassed 67 across his final four campaigns at Sevilla, a period that included two Europa League triumphs. At international level, he has delivered on the biggest stages, helping Morocco reach the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and adding further goals during the current African Cup of Nations. His tally of 25 international goals underlines consistency rather than a brief purple patch.

Moyes Seeks Reliability in the Box

For Moyes, this pursuit speaks to pragmatism. Everton spent over £100m in the summer, including £27m on Barry, yet returns have been thin. Four goals in the last six matches is not enough to pull clear of danger or to build momentum. En-Nesyri, now 28, represents a forward entering his prime years, experienced, physically imposing, and accustomed to responsibility.

This is not about future potential or resale value. It is about a striker who knows where the goal is and has shown he can deliver under pressure. A loan with a €20m buy option also reflects caution shaped by recent financial realities, while still offering a clear pathway if the move succeeds.

Everton Gamble or Calculated Move

There is an awareness that Everton are not alone in their interest, with Nottingham Forest reportedly also monitoring the situation. That competition may accelerate talks, but it also reinforces the sense that En-Nesyri is viewed across the league as a reliable solution rather than a speculative punt.

For a club that has struggled to turn possession into purpose, this move feels grounded in logic. Goals change narratives quickly, and Everton’s current story badly needs revising.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Everton supporter’s perspective, this report lands with a mix of hope and weary realism. Hope, because En-Nesyri looks like the sort of striker Everton have lacked for years, someone who does not need five chances to score one goal. His record in Spain, Turkey, and with Morocco suggests a forward comfortable carrying responsibility, something Goodison demands almost by default.

There is also relief in the structure of the deal. A loan with an option feels sensible after summers defined by heavy spending and limited return. Supporters have watched Everton pour money into attacking projects that never quite catch fire, and patience is thin. This feels more measured, almost grown up.

Yet scepticism remains. Everton have seen proven scorers arrive before, only to be swallowed by a system that struggles to create clear chances. Fans will ask whether En-Nesyri will be fed properly, or whether he will be left chasing long balls and scraps. Moyes’ sides traditionally value structure and discipline, but the balance between caution and ambition will matter.

Ultimately, most Evertonians would take this gamble gladly. Goals change moods, atmospheres, and league positions. If En-Nesyri brings even half of his Fenerbahçe output to Merseyside, this season could still be steered away from familiar anxiety and towards something steadier.

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