Story by
Everton Eye £44m Striker: Should Moyes Risk The Fee?
- Story by
- Everton Eye £44m Striker: Should Moyes Risk The Fee?
Everton Eye £44m Striker: Should Moyes Risk The Fee?
Everton's push for European football is gathering pace under David Moyes, but the frontline has almost no cover. A 1-0 league win and a 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle have kept the mood positive, with seventh place giving the campaign momentum.
That progress makes the striker situation harder to ignore. Everton sold Beto to Fiorentina for £15m in the summer and failed to complete a deadline-day move for Folarin Balogun, leaving Thierno Barry as Moyes' only centre-forward. The 23-year-old, contracted until June 2029, has delivered four league goals and eight across all competitions in 2026/27.
Advertisement
He has become indispensable. Braiden Graham, an 18-year-old academy forward whose deal expires in June 2027, remains the only internal alternative and has little senior experience. An injury to Barry would leave Moyes without a credible replacement.
That shortage matters even more given Moyes' demands from his forwards. Everton need a striker who presses centre-backs, works hard without the ball and attacks space quickly when possession turns over. Barry brings a physical focal point; another profile with acceleration and relentless pressing could offer a different route forward on counter-attacks.
One player reportedly under consideration offers precisely those qualities. Sport Witness , citing Brazilian insider Diego Firmino, reports that Everton have joined Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham in monitoring Palmeiras striker Vitor Roque ahead of a possible 2027 move. Palmeiras value him at £44m and have little reason to negotiate: his contract runs until December 2029.
Palmeiras paid Barcelona £25.5m plus bonuses for 80 per cent of Roque's economic rights, while the Spanish side retained a 20 per cent sell-on clause. That investment helps explain the stance. Roque's 2026 return has fallen sharply: nine goals and one assist in 39 appearances, compared with 20 goals and five assists across 51 matches in 2025.
Advertisement
A left ankle injury required surgery and kept him out for three months, from April to July. Since returning, he has struggled for full-match minutes and his previous explosiveness, although his work rate and goals remain useful. His spells at Barcelona and Real Betis offer familiarity with European football.
Should Everton commit £44m to Roque or solve the striker shortage first?
QUITO, ECUADOR – SEPTEMBER 16: Vitor Roque of Palmeiras celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores Quarter-final second leg match between LDU Quito and Palmeiras at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium on September 16, 2026 in Quito, Ecuador. (Photo by Franklin Jacome/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Everton should monitor Roque, but don't make him the plan for January. His pressing, pace and willingness to run suit Moyes, and a fit version could complement Barry rather than replace him. Still, nine goals in 39 games after surgery is a warning, not a guarantee of recovery.
Palmeiras' contract position and Barcelona's sell-on clause make a discount unlikely, while £44m would represent a major commitment. The Friedkin Group must protect Everton's push for Europe by adding an experienced, available centre-forward first. Roque can remain on the shortlist; Barry cannot keep carrying the attack alone.
