European heavyweights to rival domestic rivals for Everton ace in Jan - report

Juventus have identified Everton forward Beto on a list of attacking options being considered for a January transfer, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian news outlet reported on Sunday [13 October] that European heavyweights Juventus have drawn up a shortlist including Beto and Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca to bolster the attacking options in Turin.

Thiago Motta is reportedly eager to add competition for Dusan Vlahovic, with the usual deputy Arkadiusz Milik still nowhere near a return from a long-term injury sustained in June.

Everton face a monumental decision regarding the future of Beto at Goodison Park as he has yet to justify his £30m move from Udinese, while Juve’s domestic rivals Roma are also said to be showing an interest [Il Messaggero, 10 October].

Everton face a huge striker dilemma at Goodison Park

The decision to cut ties with Beto after an underwhelming maiden campaign in the Premier League last term, yielding three goals, would have been more straightforward for Sean Dyche had Dominic Calvert-Lewin not been in the final 12 months of his contract.

While the Blues continue to attempt to convince the 27-year-old to pen a new deal at Goodison Park, clubs are circling at the possibility of negotiating a free transfer in January, so Dyche’s men may be forced to cash in on the forward before it is too late.

In an ideal world, Everton would have Calvert-Lewin leading the line for the foreseeable future with loan signing Armando Broja competing for a starting berth, allowing the club to cut their losses on Beto.

However, the situation is more delicate at Goodison Park and must be treated with caution. The possibility of losing both forwards, potentially as early as January, would be catastrophic for the Blues and leave the club without a recognised forward on the books.

Broja is not guaranteed to remain on Merseyside at the end of the season and, while he continues his rehabilitation from injury, there is no telling of how successful he will be for the Toffees this season and if the club would be willing to place their faith in the Albanian.

It is becoming increasingly likely Beto will return to Italy [Gabriele La Manna], where he enjoyed prolific goalscoring form with Udinese, and it seems right for the club to admit the signing was a failure and move on.

But they must resolve the future of Calvert-Lewin first and foremost before any decisions on Beto can be made.

In other Everton news, Jesper Lindstrom must step up for the Toffees amid fresh injury developments at Goodison Park.

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