Yet another new striker story as Everton still dither over the options

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Burnley and João Pedro of Watford during the Sky Bet Championship between Watford and Burnley at Vicarage Road on August 12, 2022 in Watford, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Burnley and João Pedro of Watford during the Sky Bet Championship between Watford and Burnley at Vicarage Road on August 12, 2022 in Watford, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

While we continue to wait for news of the new attacking signing or signings Everton desperately need, the club are being linked with yet another new target today.

According to some reports Everton are ready to match Newcastle United’s £30 million bid for Watford forward Joao Pedro.

The Brazilian is now a supposed target for both the Magpies and Toffees’ who have, if the rumour is true, matched Newcastle’s initial bid.

Pedro is about the twenty-fourth new forward the Blues’ have been linked with this summer, especially over the last three to four weeks.

Ok, I’m exaggarating a little! But, it does feel sometimes as though nearly every striker from all corners of European football are claimed to be a target for Everton.

The list is a long one: Emmanuel Dennis, Armando Broja, Serhou Guirassy, Neal Maupay, Che Adams, Goncalo Ramos, Ben Brereton-Diaz, Ollie Watkins, Leandro Trossard and now Pedro.

I’ve missed a few out I’m sure and it is getting crazy how many different forwards’ names are ‘associated’ with a move to Merseyside.

Now, the latest stories claim the Toffees’ have made a solid offer for the Brazil forward who has spent three years at Vicarage Road.

Pedro hasn’t exactly lit up the Premier League and he only managed three goals last season. But, the 20-year-old is obviously still a very young player and certainly has the talent and the time to improve his game.

Still, it would seem a considerable risk to spend anything like this sort of money on an unproven young forward when there are more reliable options around.

If Anthony Gordon is to leave – something that looks increasingly certain to happen sooner rather than later – then the Blues’ will have some serious cash to spend.

In the end though we just return like an endless treadmill to the same issue, that Everton have to get this done as soon as they can.

Frankly, at this point it is getting to the stage where almost anyone who can score a few goals will do. Bournemouth away is the next game on Saturday and the Toffees’ have until lunchtime on Friday to get a deal over the line.

Will they? I doubt it and Everton will be going into what I now feel is their fourth Premier League match, one I feel is a must-win game, still without any proper goalscorers.