Everton Eye £17m January Move for Tottenham Target Orri Oskarsson

Everton eye £17m January swoop for Tottenham target Orri Oskarsson

Everton are reportedly keeping a close eye on Real Sociedad forward Orri Oskarsson, a £17m-rated Iceland international also tracked by Tottenham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Brentford, as David Moyes seeks January striking reinforcements with Thierno Barry the only specialist option.

Target: Orri Oskarsson, Real Sociedad forward, valued at around £17m by Transfermarkt
Contract: Oskarsson is under contract at Real Sociedad until 2030
Competition: Tottenham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Brentford have all checked on his availability
Everton need: David Moyes has only Thierno Barry as a specialist striker after failing to replace Beto last summer
Oskarsson form: Four goals in 11 matches across all competitions this season
Timing: A potential January swoop or a summer move is being considered

According to TEAMtalk, Everton have started exploring options to sign a new forward and are monitoring Oskarsson closely before deciding whether to make a concrete approach. The Toffees failed to purchase a new striker last summer despite letting Beto leave, leaving David Moyes with Thierno Barry as his only specialist centre-forward option.

Barry, who moved to the Hill Dickinson Stadium from Villarreal last year, initially took time to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League. The Frenchman has shown glimpses of his quality this season, scoring six goals and registering a solitary assist in 10 appearances across all competitions. Those numbers underline his potential but also highlight Everton's reliance on a single striker.

Oskarsson, 22, joined Real Sociedad from Copenhagen a couple of years ago and initially took time to settle into his new surroundings. He featured as a rotational option last term, making 10 goal contributions across all competitions. This season he has shown further glimpses of his ability, scoring four goals in 11 matches in all tournaments. His performances in club football have secured him a place in the Iceland national team.

Deal details

Oskarsson is valued at around £17m by Transfermarkt and remains under contract at Real Sociedad until 2030. The Spanish club are therefore in a strong position to demand a sizable fee for the 22-year-old. Everton would need to overcome stiff competition to seal a deal, with Tottenham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Brentford all having assessed striker options and checked on his availability. No formal approach has been reported yet, and the source describes Everton's interest as exploratory.

Why Everton and Tottenham are both chasing a new No.9

Everton's need is acute. Beto's departure last summer was not adequately replaced, and Thierno Barry has shouldered the goalscoring burden alone. Barry's six goals in 10 games is a respectable return for a player adapting to English football, but Moyes knows a single injury or loss of form would leave his attack dangerously thin. Oskarsson's profile—standing at 6ft 1in and comfortable leading the line—appeals as a player who could share the load and develop under Moyes.

Tottenham's interest stems from a different problem. Spurs reinforced their striker position by purchasing Omar Marmoush from Manchester City last summer, but Marmoush is not a natural striker and has been playing on the flank this season. As a result, Roberto De Zerbi reportedly wants a new No.9. Oskarsson fits the bill as a talented young forward who could become a shrewd acquisition for either Everton or Tottenham.

The competition from Newcastle, Sunderland and Brentford complicates matters for both clubs. Each has been assessing striker options, and Oskarsson's availability has been checked. With Real Sociedad under no pressure to sell given the player's contract length, any January move would likely require a fee above his £17m Transfermarkt valuation. Everton's budget constraints could make a summer approach more realistic, but the urgency of their need may force their hand in January.

Talking points

Everton's failure to replace Beto last summer looks increasingly costly. Is Oskarsson the right fix, or should Moyes prioritise a more proven Premier League scorer in January?
Oskarsson has four goals in 11 games this season and 10 goal contributions last term. Is he ready to lead the line for a club fighting for mid-table security, or is he still a project?
Tottenham's need for a natural No.9 is clear, but will De Zerbi trust a 22-year-old with limited top-five-league experience over Marmoush, who is being played out of position?
With Newcastle, Sunderland and Brentford also circling, could a bidding war push Oskarsson's price beyond £17m and out of Everton's reach?

What happens next

Everton will continue to monitor Oskarsson's performances for Real Sociedad and Iceland as they weigh up a January approach. The 22-year-old's next opportunity to impress suitors comes in Real Sociedad's upcoming fixtures, with his form likely to dictate whether the Spanish club's asking price rises. Moyes must decide whether to gamble on potential in January or wait until the summer, when more options may become available. Tottenham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Brentford are all watching closely, and any concrete offer could spark a race for his signature.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Orri Oskarsson worth?

Transfermarkt values Orri Oskarsson at around £17m, and he is under contract at Real Sociedad until 2030.

Which clubs are interested in Orri Oskarsson?

Everton are keeping a close eye on him, while Tottenham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Brentford have all assessed striker options and checked on his availability.

Is Thierno Barry Everton's only striker?

Yes, according to the source, David Moyes currently has Thierno Barry as the only specialist striker option after Everton failed to sign a new forward last summer.