Everton The Only Realistic Choice For This Highly Rated Free Agent Striker: Should Moyes Take The Risk? | OneFootball

Everton have emerged as the only realistic English destination for Mauro Icardi, with the Argentine striker available as a free agent after leaving Galatasaray. Tottenham Hotspur had previously enquired about the 33-year-old, yet their full 25-man Premier League squad leaves no registration space for another senior arrival.

David Moyes has far more room to work with. Everton registered 19 senior players, leaving six vacant places and creating scope for an experienced free-agent signing without needing to remove anyone from their current list.

Icardi, meanwhile, has pushed back against suggestions that retirement could follow his Galatasaray exit. Recent training photographs posted online showed the striker keeping himself ready, while his accompanying comments made clear that he feels no pressure to rush into another contract.

He described his current situation as offering “freedom of choice” and indicated that his financial future is already secure.

Everton have a clear route to Mauro Icardi

That stance matters because money appears to have narrowed Icardi’s options.

Greek clubs PAOK and Olympiacos have tracked his situation, though neither has come close to satisfying his financial demands. Possible returns to Serie A with Lazio and Fiorentina have failed to develop either, leaving the striker with fewer realistic destinations despite his considerable scoring pedigree.

Icardi still poses obvious appeal. He scored 16 goals across all competitions for Galatasaray last season and has spent much of his career operating as a penalty-box striker. His record includes prolific spells with Inter Milan and Galatasaray, where sharp movement and ruthless finishing made him a reliable source of goals.

Everton could certainly use extra firepower across a long Premier League campaign. Having six available squad positions creates freedom that many rival clubs simply don’t possess. Yet an empty registration slot doesn’t make a transfer sensible by itself.

There is currently no firm indication that Moyes has asked Everton to complete a deal for Icardi. That is important because availability can generate transfer links without producing serious negotiations.

Should Everton take the financial risk?

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Mauro Icardi of Galatasaray in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

From Everton’s perspective, I wouldn’t pursue this deal unless Icardi accepts dramatically reduced financial terms.

His goals make the idea tempting. Still, Moyes usually demands discipline, defensive work and complete commitment from his players, particularly when his side doesn’t have the ball. Bringing in a 33-year-old striker on sizeable wages creates an awkward trade-off if he can’t provide those qualities every week.

His comments about financial security aren’t inherently problematic. A footballer has every right to wait for the contract he wants. Yet Everton must judge whether his motivation, physical condition and salary expectations match what the squad currently needs.

The wage question carries greater importance. If PAOK and Olympiacos already consider his demands beyond their reach, Everton shouldn’t distort their salary structure simply because they have registration space available.

Keeping several places vacant gives Moyes options if better opportunities appear, particularly players who can cover multiple positions and cope with his physical demands.

Icardi could still score goals in England. His penalty-box instinct hasn’t disappeared. Yet Everton need more than a famous name and an impressive scoring record from their next forward. Unless the financial package drops considerably, those six open places are more valuable than this particular gamble.