Farhad Moshiri could waste more money as Everton transfer news emerges
Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is reportedly ready to fund a move to sign Michail Antonio from West Ham, but the Toffees must steer clear of any potential deal.
The Hammers ace, 32, is out of contract at the London Stadium this summer and has been previously linked with a move to Goodison Park in the not-too-distant past.
The veteran striker could have left in the January window after being linked with moves to both Everton and Wolves after the East Londoners completed a deal to bring Danny Ings from Aston Villa.
A couple of months on and those reports have been brought to the surface yet again.
According to newspaper journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon account on Sunday [19 March], the Blues are attempting an “ambitious” bid to land the 32-year-old Jamaica international with Sean Dyche in the market to sign two new forwards in the summer transfer window.
It is understood that Antonio is top of Everton’s shortlist and any new striker arrivals at Goodison Park would push Neal Maupay down the pecking order.
The Toffees have been desperate for attacking reinforcements since they allowed the likes of Richarlison and Anthony Gordon to leave on big-money moves to Tottenham and Everton respectively, and the club’s attacking options have suffered as a result.
Dyche has limited options at his disposal with the former Burnley boss doing well to get the best out of the likes of Dwight McNeil, Demarai Gray, and Alex Iwobi.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury-plagued Everton career has unfortunately continued with the fan favourite again missing plenty of the season, while Maupay has failed to set the world alight following his move from Brighton in the summer.
Certainly, the Blues will be on the hunt for quality additions this summer, a striker who is not only durable and reliable to perform consistently every week but a consistent goalscorer and Antonio isn’t one of them.
West Ham are below Everton in the Premier League table as it stands and Antonio, their main man up front, has just three goals in 23 league appearances this season, highlighting a stark decline in the forward’s game from last season’s tally of 10 goals and eight assists.
The Jamaican international will be turning 33 next month and could represent yet another incompetent decision by the Toffees board who should have money in the bank to fund the goalscoring forwards they need after the hefty Richarlison and Gordon sales.
The Toffees have been linked with moves for Iliman Ndiaye, Viktor Gyokeres, Duvan Zapata and Sheraldo Becker in recent weeks and all four of those names represent quality and sensible additions who can provide infinitely more than what Antonio offers.
It is clear that Moshiri has not learned his lesson and could waste more money, and needlessly snapping up a struggling Antonio certainly won’t do his reputation enhancing any favours. It is a move the club must avoid this summer.