The Everton and Besiktas transfer swap deal that would just make total sense

It is a department that fans aplenty would like to see strengthened.

While the full-back areas are likely a priority if Everton are to do any business in the January transfer window, the centre-forward position could also do with some attention.

Insipid penalties from Beto and Thierno Barry in the shootout loss to Sunderland underlined that Everton lack prowess up front. When the trio of Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish are available, there can be no denying the quality and threat that David Moyes’ side can possess. But the Hill Dickinson Stadium boss is without a striker who can ultimately be relied on for consistency.

There is mitigation with Barry. Although he joined from Villarreal for a fee of up to £27 million, he was regarded as a project. Barry might be aged 23 but it’s only his second season playing in Europe’s top-five leagues. Still, he has scored only three goals in 24 appearances.

Beto turns 28 at the end of January and is in his third campaign at Everton. In truth, there has not been any significant improvement since he joined from Udinese in August 2023. He has the exact same record as Barry this campaign.

Beto started the FA Cup defeat by Sunderland but endured a forgetful afternoon. Throughout 120 minutes, he had a meagre 29 touches, won just six of the 17 duels he contested and only six of his 12 passes were accurate.

While Everton’s chances of winning silverware this season have been put paid to, it would be premature to say that they have zilch left to play for this season. The nature of the Premier League this time around means that European qualification is still wide open. Granted, it has been an underwhelming few weeks, with the Toffees winning just once in five games. Yet they have been bereft of options. Nine senior players were absent against Sunderland.

Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye may miss only one more game, while Grealish is to return from suspension against Aston Villa on Sunday. Prized asset Jarrad Branthwaite hasn’t played all campaign but is edging towards full fitness and Dewsbury-Hall will hopefully be back sooner rather than later. They are five out-and-out starters in Moyes’ best XI.

The Blues are 12th but sit four points below fifth-placed Brentford. It only needs an unbeaten run of perhaps six games to catapult into European qualification berths. An adept striker would augment those chances.

Moyes has already admitted that Everton won’t spend money unless it makes long-term sense. The Toffees feel it is hard to find value in the January transfer window. But there is perhaps a deal that they could try to broker.

To be frank, Everton might be in the market for a striker come the summer. Barry is unlikely to be ready to be out-and-out first choice, while Beto’s future will again be uncertain, especially with two years left on his current deal.

The centre-forward market has become more challenging than ever. The fees that were paid last summer for the likes of Alexander Isak (£125 million), Viktor Gyokeres (£64 million), Benjamin Sesko (£74 million) and Nick Woltemade (£69 million) highlight the marked inflation. In addition, Wolves reportedly wanted £60 million for Jørgen Strand Larsen.

But this month, there could be a deal to make. It appears that Tammy Abraham might be looking for a move. The former Chelsea man is currently on loan from AS Roma at Turkish side Besiktas where he’s enjoyed a fine first half of the season. Abraham has fired 12 goals in 24 appearances.

While Everton owners The Friedkin Group also own Roma, Besiktas reportedly have an obligation to buy Abraham for around £11.5 million. Yet the fact that he has been heavily linked with Aston Villa this month suggests that the England international is open to a Premier League return. Abraham may feel he could sneak into the Three Lions’ World Cup squad, despite not winning a cap since 2022.

Villa is the more attractive proposition, as things stand. Unai Emery’s side are third in the Premier League and third in the Europa League table. But Abraham would return to Villa Park, having had a successful loan spell earlier in his career, playing second-fiddle to Oli Watkins. That would hardly bolster his World Cup chances.

Everton, on the other hand, would be able to offer Abraham regular minutes and he would provide Moyes’ front line with much more nous and experience. The ex-Swansea City loanee has netted 28 Premier League goals in 89 matches and would help ease the pressure on Barry. Abraham could even help Barry develop, having had no-one to really learn from since moving to Merseyside. And at age 28, it could be argued that he has only just entered his peak years.

According to Turkish outlet Sabah, Besiktas would want around £17 million for Abraham, while he reportedly earns £115,000 per week. But perhaps Everton could drive that fee down by throwing in a sweetener by exchanging Beto. The Guinea-Bissau international might be open to pastures new.

The finances would have to work for both Everton and Besiktas. The two players would also have to be receptive. However, if it could be done, it might make sense for all parties.