Mario Balotelli has already likened Everton striker target to Erling Haaland – ‘has such a presence’
Everton’s top priority in January is to sign a new striker who can support their ambitions of qualifying for Europe.
In the first half of 2025/26, David Moyes has had to rely on Beto and Thierno Barry as his only central striking options, and neither have shown consistent levels.
Barry has scored once against Nottingham Forest since joining in a big-money move from Villarreal, while Beto’s return of two isn’t much better.
Moyes has already spoken openly about Everton’s hunt for a striker, and with January on the horizon, speculation continues to heat up.
Artem Dovbyk compared to Erling Haaland
Everton have been linked with Artem Dovbyk as a potential option to challenge Barry for a place in the starting lineup, with discussions over a swap deal involving Beto ongoing.
Dovbyk plays for the other club owned by The Friedkin Group, Roma, and the 40-cap Ukraine international could leave the Italian side once a replacement is found.
The 28-year-old has scored just twice in 10 Serie A appearances this term – at a rate of 161 minutes per goal – and while that return isn’t promising, former Premier League striker Mario Balotelli rates the Roma finisher highly.
Speaking in August 2024 following Dovbyk’s transfer to the Italian giants, Balotelli likened his style of play to Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland.
“In terms of style, I would say he is similar to Haaland – the way he attacks and his aggression,” the former Man City man said via Telegrafi.
“He has such a presence. He may not be the most coordinated, but you can tell he’s strong and he knows how to score.”
“He will have a double-digit number of goals for Roma.”
Dovbyk is a proven goalscorer
Balotelli tipped Dobvyk to hit double figures for Roma last year, and he was bang on with that prediction as he fired home 14 in all competitions across 2024/25.
| Artem Dovbyk’s recent seasons in numbers |
| Roma (2024/25) – 17 goals in 45 games |
| Girona (2023/24) – 24 goals in 39 games |
| SC Dnipro (2022/23) – 29 goals in 39 games |
While he’s since fallen down the pecking order under Gian Piero Gasperini, Dovbyk has proven he can score goals everywhere he goes with 133 in 284 across his senior career.
Encouragingly, the Ukraine international – who stands at 6’2″ – also has the physical profile to flourish in the Premier League and become the reliable goalscorer Everton are craving.
After all, Everton did nearly once sign Haaland, and Dovbyk could live up to that comparison at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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