TFG line up move to sign “clinical” £17m CF

The Hill Dickinson Stadium will begin life in the Premier League by playing host to Brighton & Hove Albion, one week after Everton’s season opener away to newly-promoted Leeds United.

David Moyes deserves all the plaudits for his remarkable work on Merseyside this year, replacing Sean Dyche in January and taking a weary 16th-place outfit, one point above the drop zone, up and up towards 13th, some 23 points above relegated Leicester City.

The shift has been profound, but now Moyes must sustain and indeed advance his progress in a new setting, retaining the magic and feeling that Goodison Park and its crowd instilled through to the pitch.

So much uncertainty. More than a measure of anxiety. However, tenfold that amount in regard to the excitement of a new age. Of course, Everton need signings to make it happen, with a striker right at the top of the wish list.

Everton chasing new striker

As per Spanish outlet AS, Everton are interested in striking a deal for Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto, although it must be said that Atletico Madrid are also in the race and have actually established contacts with the Brasileiro Serie A side.

Thankfully, Alberto isn’t the La Liga side’s priority, and if the Toffees put in the groundwork over the coming weeks, they might find themselves stealing ahead.

Valued at €20m (about £17m), Everton are joined by Roma – also owned by the Friedkin Group – in their bid for the Brazilian, as they line up a swoop for the striker.

What Yuri Alberto would bring to Everton

Described as “clinical” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, the club could strike gold by winning the race to sign Alberto, who at 24 is finally ready to settle on the European stage and improve a Toffees team looking to progress toward the upper echelon of Premier League football.

Everton like a Brazilian forward, having reaped the rewards of signing Richarlison from Watford way back when, but they have probably missed the 28-year-old’s fiery personality and dynamism after selling him to Tottenham Hotspur for £60m in 2022.

As per FBref, Alberto ranks among the top 10% of forwards during this year’s Serie A season for goals scored per 90, as well as pass completion and aerial duel success rate. His roundedness and dominance as a focal point suggest he could be the man Everton are looking for to front their project.

Yuri Alberto – Stats by Season (all comps)
Season	Apps	Goals	Assists
2025	35	13	1
2024	57	31	7
2023	63	15	9
2022	44	18	6
2021	55	19	4
Data via Transfermarkt

Alberto knows his way around a finish, make no mistake. The mobile and determined striker would add a bit of flair to Moyes’ side, raising the threat levels in front of goal, moreover.

There’s no doubt that he’d prove an upgrade on the Dominic Calvert-Lewin we’ve come to know over the past couple of years, but maybe he could be the manager’s own version of Richarlison too.

Though Iliman Ndiaye has restored the thrill factor for the Blues, Richarlison’s tenacity and hunger gave Everton something special and distinctive across four consistent seasons, wrapping up his time at the club with 53 goals and 15 assists across 152 appearances.

Once tipped by Carlo Ancelotti to become “one of the top strikers in Europe”, Richarlison’s time at Tottenham has left plenty to be desired.

Still, his Brazilian tenacity has remained a core part of his skill set, and now Alberto could emulate that quality under Moyes’ wing, having been described by talent scout Jacek Kulig to be a “complete forward” with a “powerful, athletic” build.

Richarlison, physically imposing, good with his head and endowed with a natural prolificness, might have been linked with a return to Merseyside in recent months, but Everton have entered a new chapter and would instead be better off pursuing a fresh and younger face.

Still, Alberto can become the club’s next version of their South American maverick.