Everton are looking like a club reborn under The Friedkin Group and the January transfer window is going to offer another opportunity to bolster the squad.
A lot of additions have been made to David Moyes’ side over recent months, but not every summer signing has proven to be a success.
Having watched him for almost half a season, Everton are aware that Thierno Barry is going to need time to showcase his true potential.
Everton do not have time to wait if they are to really push for a spot in the European places this season.
As a result, Everton News understands that Everton will be looking to sign a new striker to ease the pressure off Barry and Beto.
Just days out from the window opening, Everton may have identified a striker target who could fit the profile of club hero Duncan Ferguson.
Everton are eyeing Duncan Ferguson-type striker for January
It has been suggested that Everton are eyeing Roma striker Artem Dovbyk, just one year on from the Friedkins convincing him to join the Italian outfit.
The deal could even see the Ukraine international replace Beto in a straight swap.
Club hero Ferguson recently told Everton they need a new striker after seeing the Blues struggle in their draw against West Ham.
Which former Everton striker would you hypothetically bring back to play in the current side? 🤩
Ideally, the Toffees could do with signing another striker who could provide the same impact as Ferguson did during his time at the club.
Jamie Carragher admitted he feared Ferguson when he came up against the Scot during his spells with the Blues and Newcastle United.
Ferguson was a physical striker, and that is something which Dovbyk could also bring to Merseyside if he was signed in January.
Dovbyk’s former manager, Michel Sanchez, waxed lyrical about the striker’s physicality during his time at Girona.
“One of his key traits is movement, and due to his physicality, he can outrun and outmuscle most defenders, especially when in full motion,” he said.
“He’s very difficult to stop once he gets going with his big strides.”
Although Beto does offer a physical presence, Dovbyk could offer more with a greater range of movement like Ferguson showed with his incredible leap in the air.
Duncan Ferguson shares what Everton fans want in a striker
Dovbyk has struggled at Roma this season, but he did show a lot of promise during the 2024/25 campaign in Serie A.
Perhaps a fresh start in the physical Premier League could help bring out the best in the Ukraine international.
How many goals could Artem Dovbyk score in the Premier League? 💪
He has struggled in the 2025/26 season, though…
After all, Ferguson has already said that the stereotypical striker that Everton fans love would see a player like Dovbyk fit the bill.
“When I put my shirt on I gave everything. I’ve got the scars to prove it – too many really,” Ferguson told the Liverpool Echo.
“The fans here… they are unbelievable. They took me in and they are the best fans in the country. They love their No. 9s, but they can be incredibly hard if you don’t fit the bill.”
Ferguson has disapproved of players like Moise Kean in the past, but a strong forward like Dovbyk could be the mould which the Blues need to revert to.
As promising as Barry’s recent performances have been, Moyes has still wanted more from the Frenchman physically.
“When you are 6ft 4in and you’ve got what he’s got, he’s going to have to learn to be a victim of being tackled and falling over,” Moyes said after the win over Nottingham Forest.
Adding a player like Dovbyk could be exactly what the current squad is missing.
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