How Mauro Icardi is preparing for transfer as Everton get free agent update

Mauro Icardi is still a free agent after being named on Everton's radar.

The striker is still searching for his next club after his contract with Galatasaray expired at the end of last season.

The former Argentina international has plenty of interest, and the Toffees have also been linked with a move after their disastrous deadline day.

Thierno Barry is currently the only senior fit number nine that David Moyes has at the club, hence the reason to search the free agent market.

The Blues are being linked with other strikers ahead of the January window, but with the Friedkin Group looking to sell, it's not known how much they will financially back the club before doing so.

Icardi would only be costly in terms of wages, but what is the latest regarding Everton's transfer target?

The latest on Mauro Icardi amid Everton interest

Everton have been linked with a move for Icardi since September, after Moyes hinted that the free agent market would be looked at.

The 33-year-old scored 16 goals for Galatasaray last season and is a proven goal scorer across Europe.

According to TyC Sports, Icardi has not yet received a formal proposal to join a new club.

Everton and Tottenham are two Premier League clubs that have been mentioned with interest, but neither side appears to have laid a contract on the table for the Argentine.

It's said that the forward is currently maintaining his physical condition by training in Argentina ahead of an opportunity with a new club, but it's most likely not going to be with either Everton or Tottenham.

That's because it's understood that the financial and sporting needs of the interested teams mentioned have "prevented" talks from advancing into concrete negotiations.

Approaches in England and Spain were made, but no progress was made.

Everton could have been one of the clubs.

Who could Everton look to target in January instead?

Everton may very well have made their mind up on Icardi, as it's also possible that Barry's early form has kept club officials happy for the time being.

The Blues may not want to make an emergency signing that would be financially costly in terms of the wage bill, and Evertonians may see the sense in that.

Everton have been backed to sign Paul Mendy from Serie A side Cagliari, while in-form Dinamo Zagreb forward Dion Beljo has also been linked with a move to L3.

Alan Myers is "certain" that Everton will sign a new hit-man in January, regardless of whether TFG are still at the club or not.