Everton could see £40m bid accepted to sign their best striker since Lukaku

After a year of settling into their new home at the Hill Dickinson, the 2026/27 campaign is the year in which Everton Football Club desperately need to take their performances up a notch.

David Moyes led the Toffees to a campaign of consolidation in the Premier League, with little to no threat of relegation ever appearing on the cards throughout the season.

However, the world-class facilities on Merseyside have only increased the demand from the supporters for the senior side to mount a push for the European places.

Next year will mark nine years since the football club last had a taste of continental football – a simply unthinkable stat for a club for the Toffees’ size.

If Moyes is to guide the club to the next level throughout 2026/27, he may need backing from the hierarchy during the upcoming transfer window to help land some of his key targets.

Everton could have £40m bid accepted for attacking sensation

Over the last couple of weeks, Everton have been linked with a plethora of attacking stars who could make the move to Merseyside ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Fulham star Harry Wilson is one player who has emerged on their shortlist, with the Welsh international expected to depart the Cottagers at the end of his contract this month.

Aston Villa and Leeds United are two other clubs in the race for the 29-year-old, which could present an intriguing transfer battle for his signature in the months ahead.

He’s not the only player currently in the hierarchy’s sights, with Belgian striker Loïs Openda another who could be the subject of a bid from Moyes’ men in the months ahead.

According to Football Insider, Everton have been offered a deal by Juventus to sign the 26-year-old, but the terms around a deal still remain unclear at present.

The report states the attacker is set to join the Italian side on a permanent basis this summer, but they are looking to sell him for around £40m after he triggered his obligation to buy.

The Old Lady are willing to loan the forward out this summer, but only with an option to buy next summer – resulting in Nottingham Forest and Coventry City also being keen on securing a transfer.

Why Openda would be Everton’s best striker since Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku made a huge impact for Everton during his time at the club, scoring a lorry load of goals whilst also making the club a huge profit on the fee they forked out for him.

The Belgian striker originally joined the Toffees on a season-long loan back in 2013, before impressing during his temporary stint, scoring 16 times in his 33 appearances – prompting a permanent move to Goodison Park the following summer.

The Everton hierarchy splashed out £28m for his services, subsequently scoring 71 times in 133 appearances for the club, an average of one goal every 1.8 outings.

His form during his time on Merseyside caught the eye of the elite clubs in the Premier League, with Manchester United paying a whopping £90m, including add-ons, for the Belgian, ending his three-year stay at Goodison.

Since his departure back in the summer of 2017, the Toffees have massively struggled to replace the Belgian – as seen by the recent form of Beto and Thierno Barry.

The aforementioned duo only netted 17 combined goals during the recent campaign, with the hierarchy needing to pull out the stops to secure a move for Openda this window.

Whilst he only netted one league goal for Juventus throughout 2025/26, the former RB Leipzig star has proven pedigree of finding the back of the net in Europe’s top-five leagues.

The 26-year-old netted a staggering 43 goals across two seasons for the German outfit – ultimately leading to his switch to Juventus during last summer’s window.

Openda, who’s been dubbed “terrifying” by Seb Stafford-Bloor, was only outscored by Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy during the 2023/24 campaign – highlighting his clinical nature in front of goal.

His tally of 8.3 touches in the opposition box per 90 this season also highlights his fox-in-the-box nature – something which Everton have lacked since Lukaku’s departure.

Other tallies, such as 2.9 fouls won per 90, highlight the threat he poses to the opposition – whether that be with his hold-up play or his electric pace in behind the backline.

Juventus’ willingness to offload the attacker this summer presents a huge opportunity for Everton this summer – but they must work tirelessly to avoid losing out to a divisional rival.

Lukaku’s form at Goodison was nothing short of remarkable, but who’s to say his compatriot can’t emulate his success upon any move this summer?