How Everton can replace Beto this summer

Everton have made a tidy start to the summer transfer window, wrapping up permanent deals for Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George, as well as signing Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough.

But it’s obvious that David Moyes needs more in attack, should he hope to bring the Toffees up into European contention next season.

Last year, Everton were among the least creative teams in the Premier League, instead leaning into their grittiness and their organisation and discipline.

Something needs to give, and while playmakers are required, the fact remains that Everton don’t score enough goals, and thus need a new goalscorer.

With all this in mind, it’s time to get to the grist of the argument, and that surely involves a discussion over Beto’s place in Moyes’ squad.

Why Everton need to sell Beto this summer

Everton left a lot to be desired in attack last year. Thierno Barry is unpolished after joining from Villarreal for £27m one year ago, and Beto lacks consistency and, at times, presence in the final third (which says a lot for a 6 foot 4 striker).

And though RB Leipzig have registered their interest in Barry this summer, there’s a case to be made that the young and raw striker should be kept on Merseyside, allowed to continue his development under Moyes’ wing.

Everton do need a new dimension in attack, though – and that’s regardless of the future of Beto and Barry. The Toffees were too blunt in front of goal last season, overly reliant on Iliman Ndiaye to fashion something from nothing.

The Friedkin Group were open to selling Beto during the January transfer window, but despite interest from Italy, nothing concrete materialised.

It’s worth noting that Beto hit a prolific vein of form across the closing months of the campaign, scoring eight of his nine Premier League goals after the new year, but too often we have seen the Bissau-Guinean forward prove wasteful in front of goal, go weeks and even months without finding a modicum of form. It’s time for change.

Everton leading race for Champions League forward

Beto has his uses, but something needs to give in attack for Everton this summer, else Moyes may find himself stuck in a perpetual cycle of high hopes and near misses at Everton.

Luckily, TFG are focused on adding firepower to the Hill Dickinson.

According to one well-placed Arsenal insider, Everton have stolen ahead of the Gunners in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, who is really growing into his skin over in Germany.

His agent, Eric Depolo, has revealed that Moyes is championing the move, making it clear that he is a big admirer of the 19-year-old striker, turning him in their direction after outlining their long-term plans – and, crucially, how he would fit within them.

Depolo also believes that his client is a “a £100m player” in the making, having scored five goals and provided four assists across only 12 starts in the Bundesliga last season.

Fleet-footed, tall and powerful, Kofane has all the attributes that he needs to become a superstar, and it says something of his character that he is willing to forgo Arsenal’s interest and instead sign for Everton, recognising the benefits that would come with that pragmatic decision.

Kofane is considered “one of the world’s most exciting strikers“, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig, and so it’s easy to see why Everton are determined to get this one over the line. If that comes at Beto’s expense, it will only strengthen the long-term project at the club.

Everton came close last season. After beating Chelsea 3-0 in March, there was certainly a frisson of excitement rushing through the blue Merseyside air.

They lacked a few important parts, though, and a potential world-beater like Kofane could help propel them up the ladder.