Everton have been linked with Lois Openda, but it seems any swoop will not be straightforward.
The Toffees are in the market for a new centre-forward this summer.
Thierno Barry and Beto scored 17 goals in the Premier League between them in 2025/26, but the general consensus is that Everton need an upgrade on both.
If you were Angus Kinnear who would you be going all out for this summer? 💰
Beto plays with plenty of heart and is capable of going on decent goalscoring runs here and there.
But he is not prolific, and neither is his understudy Barry, who at times left fans frustrated last season with his style of play.
Everton have reportedly been offered Openda, who is set for an early exit from Juventus this summer.
But a new update today suggests there is work to be done.
Everton trail Leeds in Lois Openda transfer race
TEAMtalk are reporting that Openda is the subject of interest from three Premier League clubs at the moment.
Everton are keen, but the player is also in the crosshairs of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
And actually, it’s Leeds who are described as being the ‘most keen’ right now.
TEAMtalk say Leeds view Openda as ‘an excellent focal point to lead their attack and potentially revive his career in English football’.
Regarding Everton’s interest, there is nothing at all advanced at the moment.
He’s been offered to the club as a potential option, and Everton are said to have the ‘financial scope’ to pursue a deal. But that’s as far as it’s gone, and it’s suggested that the Toffees may actually try to offload a striker first.
As well as the three Premier League clubs, there is also interest in Openda from Eintracht Frankfurt and AS Monaco.
It’s possible that Eintracht could be a lure for the player, given he previously spent a few seasons at RB Leipzig. He also had a season in Ligue 1 with Lens earlier in his career, so Monaco could also be an attractive option for the striker.
It will certainly be very interesting to see if Everton try to move one of Barry or Beto on this summer.
Everton need a transfer budget of at least _________ this summer
Fill in the blank…
Barry only joined last summer and it’s thought there is faith in him to come from people behind the scenes at Everton.
Back in April, Beto made no secret that he’d like to stay at Everton, but was also realistic about the nature of football, saying: “The future… Do I want to stay in Everton or not? Of course, I am here – I am home,” Beto stated.
“When the time comes that I am no longer wanted here, I understand because this is football, and I will not be mad, because I understand football and how this works. Perhaps it’s my destiny to stay with Everton and if it’s not my destiny, I will still always love Everton.”
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