Mateo Pellegrino: Everton would be adding one of Serie A's finest in one area if deal done

Mateo Pellegrino posted some impressive underlying numbers in Serie A last season, as Everton are credited with an interest in the Parma striker.

With just 47 goals scored in the Premier League in 2025-26, Everton need to sharpen their cutting edge in attack this summer.

The jury is still out on Thierno Barry, whilst Beto's form towards the end of the campaign has probably granted him a stay of execution at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

So, a new striker could be on the agenda for Everton this summer, but with only 12 goals scored in all competitions last season, Pellegrino doesn't look like an obvious upgrade on the surface.

Having joined Parma in the 2025 winter transfer window, the 24-year-old has netted 15 times in 52 total appearances for Parma.

And, according to a report from SportParma, Everton are claimed to have the Argentine on their transfer shortlist.

How did Mateo Pellegrino fare for Parma in 2025-26?

After being promoted back to Serie A for the 2024-25 season, a 13th-placed finish last term has ensured that Parma are now cementing themselves back in the Italian top flight.

Incredibly, despite ending the 2025-26 season 11 points above the relegation zone, Parma only scored 28 goals from 38 Serie A games.

So, despite only scoring nine goals in Serie A last season, Pellegrino accounted for 32 per cent of his team's league goals.

This context provides the backdrop for a hugely impressive season from Pellegrino, and why Everton fans shouldn't get caught up on his goal production.

As per FotMob, no striker in Serie A last season registered more headed shots on goal than Pellegrino's 30, won more than his 233 duels and 121 aerial duels respectively.

The 6'4" centre-forward also ranked in the top 9.5 percentile of his positional rivals for shots taken with 73 and for his 25 successful dribbles.

Pellegrino also created 22 chances, took 132 touches in the opposition box, won 71 fouls and took a total of 1,033 touches respectively.

Pellegrino one of Serie A's best strikers defensively

Whilst a striker's main job is to put the ball in the net and be the focal point in attack, they are also the first line of defence.

So having a centre-forward who doesn't simply allow the opposition to play past him and leave the defending up to his midfield and defensive comrades is a valuable commodity to have.

No striker in the Italian top flight blocked more shots than Pellegrino's five last season.

In Pellegrino, David Moyes would be adding one of Serie A's very best strikers when it comes to their defensive capabilities.

He also ranked in the top 4.8 per cent of Serie A strikers for possessions won in the final third (24) and total defensive contributions (68) respectively.

If that wasn't impressive enough, Pellegrino's 42 clearances put him in the top 2.4 per cent of his positional peers last season, as well as his 86 recoveries placing him in the leading six per cent respectively.

Everton wouldn't just be signing a striker who looks primed to produce plenty more goals in a better attacking side, David Moyes would also be getting a centre-forward who takes pride in his defensive duties.