Everton and Sammie Szmodics transfer claim made after Ipswich transfer

Everton should have brought in Sammie Szmodics before he joined Ipswich Town from Blackburn Rovers, according to Ian Darke.

The TV broadcaster, exclusively speaking to Goodison News, says the Toffees must add "firepower" to their ranks in January to ensure they remain in the Premier League.

Sean Dyche's side have taken just two wins from 12 so far this term, having scored only 10 goals.

"Firepower has been a problem for Everton for a while now. They've had Calvert-Lewin leading the line but he hasn't been delivering the goals," Darke said.

"Beto has come in and he got that goal against Fulham which was important, but they should be looking more in that kind of area. Sam Szmodics would have been a good signing, but he went to Ipswich.

"They seem to have trouble providing a constant threat, and that's probably the first area to look at."

Everton did consider Sam Szmodics move

Everton were interested in a summer move for Szmodics, who has showed glimmers of his ability to step up to the Premier League since arriving at Ipswich.

The former Blackburn ace, who scored 33 goals last season for the Championship side, has scored against Manchester City, Tottenham and Brentford this season.

With just three goals, Dwight McNeil currently leads the scoring charts in the league for the Toffees, with Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane and Iliman Ndiaye on two; Beto has one.

In other Everton news, the club have a fresh reason to be annoyed at the Premier League.

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