If there’s one problem that needs solving at Everton during the transfer window, it’s the distinct lack of goals in the side.
The Blues have only managed six goals in their first eight league games this season, with Marco Silva unable to find the regular goal scorer he needs.
Moise Kean is yet to get going after his move from Juventus, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is yet to show any sign he is clinical enough, and Cenk Tosun hasn’t had a chance.
Should Everton decide that they need to add a striker in the winter window, then Jean-Philippe Mateta is a man they could look at.
The 22-year-old is a player they have looked at before, with L’Equipe reporting in the summer that they had made a ‘firm offer’ for the striker.
This comes about because of interest from Southampton and Tottenham, who are said to have contacted the player’s agent to ask about his recovery from a meniscus injury.
It’s explained that Mateta doesn’t have a buy-out clause in his contract, but Mainz would be willing to do a deal for €30m, which is not an unassailable fee for Premier League sides in need of a proven goalscorer.
Whether that would interest Everton is debatable. They would undoubtedly welcome a physical, robust striker like Mateta as he could be perfect for getting the best out of the likes of Kean.
However, €30m would be a big price to pay for them, especially when there are more urgent issues to resolve, such as the lack of depth at centre back.
That, plus the faith they’ve shown in Calvert-Lewin and Kean, suggests this is more than likely one they’ll keep an eye on but won’t get involved in.
