Mauro Icardi to Everton: Free-Agent Striker Emerges as Target

Everton are weighing up a move for Mauro Icardi as David Moyes hunts for much-needed firepower at the top of the pitch.

The Argentine striker, a star in his pomp at Inter Milan and more recently at Galatasaray, has been offered to the Merseyside club as they scour the free-agent market in the wake of a frustrating transfer window.

Everton turn to free agents after Balogun collapse

Moyes’ need for a centre-forward is obvious. Thierno Barry is the only natural number nine in the senior squad, and the 21-year-old is still learning the role under intense Premier League scrutiny.

Everton pushed to bring in Folarin Balogun on deadline day, but that deal fell apart late on. With the window now closed, the club’s recruitment team at Hill Dickinson Stadium have pivoted towards unattached players, where Icardi’s name has quickly moved towards the top of the list.

TyC Sports journalist German Garcia Grova reported on 7 September that Icardi has been formally offered to Everton, with the player’s camp understood to be open to a move that would finally bring him to English football.

Icardi’s profile: goals, experience, and a point to prove

Icardi, now 33, left Galatasaray at the end of the 2025-26 season when his contract expired. The Turkish giants leaned on Victor Osimhen as their main striker last term, which pushed Icardi into more of an impact role from the bench.

Even so, he still produced. The Argentina international scored 16 goals in all competitions for Galatasaray last season, 14 of those in the Super Lig. His finishing remains ruthless: a 24 per cent goal conversion rate and an overperformance on his expected goals of 10.53, according to Sofascore.

He has carried that instinctive penalty-box presence across some of Europe’s biggest stages. Icardi faced clubs such as Liverpool and Juventus in the Champions League last season, underlining that he can still operate at a high level despite no longer being at his absolute peak.

He is not the quickest. He is not the flashiest. But he is still a striker who comes alive in the area and punishes hesitation. For a team that has struggled to turn half-chances into goals, that matters.

Why Moyes might roll the dice

From Everton’s perspective, the logic is clear. Barry has shown flashes but has also been wasteful in recent games, a natural by-product of his age and inexperience. Moyes needs a reliable finisher, someone who can turn tight, scrappy matches in Everton’s favour.

Icardi offers exactly that. He would not be a long-term project; he would be a specialist. A short-term solution with a proven track record of putting the ball in the net.

The question now is timing. Everton must decide whether to move quickly and bring Icardi in as a free agent in the coming weeks, or hold their nerve until January and revisit other targets when the market opens again.

If the goals continue to dry up, that choice might be made for them.