Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright deliver damning verdict on 'absolute mess' at Everton

Everton's transfer business has been slammed by Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright.

The Blues brought in seven players, with Jack Grealish's loan return being the headline name.

They finally secured a right-back with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and central midfield depth was added with Hayden Hackney, Merlin Rohl and Christian Norgaard.

Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George also arrived, but a striker did not after a deadline day fiasco.

The Toffees allowed Beto to leave, but could not complete the signature of Monaco's Folarin Balogun.

It leaves them very short upfront, something that was highlighted once again before the clash with Manchester United.

What did Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright say about Everton striking situation?

Carragher and Wright are in total agreement over how bad the end of the transfer window was for David Moyes' side.

The duo analysed the striker situation in particular in a segment on Sky Sports before the clash with Manchester United on 6 September, and believe it will cost the L3 outfit their European dreams.

Carragher said: "The fact that you end up with Thierno Barry as the recognised striker at Everton is unbelievable.

"If Everton want to get back to where they want to be, pushing for European places, Thierno Barry should be third-choice striker, not even second-choice, he is the only one.

"The window has been an absolute mess, hence why the supporters are so disgruntled."

Wright added: "The fact is if he hasn't got the confidence, and nothing that I have seen from him up to this point, has shown me that he is somebody who will go on a tear.

"If they have an injury, and it doesn't happen for him, it is going to be quite disastrous for them."

The Sky Sports pundits have simply highlighted what everyone else already knows, their damning verdict is correct, but there is still options for Moyes.

Who could Moyes turn to solve striking woes?

The Blues will have to rely on an unorthodox solution to provide competition for Barry.

Perhaps, Johnson can be shifted to centre-forward, as he has had success there in the past.

He has played 55 games in the position in his career, with 20 goals and five assists when playing there.

George is another option, although his record does not strike confidence that it would work.

He has notched two goals and four assists in 11 appearances through the middle.

Moyes could learn on the academy, but he has already admitted that he does not see Braiden Graham as a striker.

Omari Benjamin is a potential call-up, with 13 goals in 48 Under-21 games, but it would be a big step up for the 20-year-old.

Whatever they do, it will likely not be as good an option as Balogun would have been, had he came through the door as intended before the deal collapsed.

Ultimately, the setback will likely cost the Blues a place in Europe next season, unless they do something in January, but that might not be enough.