Everton January Striker Hunt: Moyes Targets Lepaul and Beljo

Everton target Esteban Lepaul and Dion Beljo as David Moyes seeks January striker fix

Everton are preparing a January move for a new centre-forward, with Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul and Dinamo Zagreb's Dion Beljo identified as leading targets. Manager David Moyes has been left with just one recognised striker, Thierno Barry, after a damaging end to the summer transfer window.

Competition: Premier League
Headline targets: Esteban Lepaul (Rennes) and Dion Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb)
Key issue: Moyes has only one recognised striker, Thierno Barry, after Beto was sold
Failed summer moves: Folarin Balogun (collapsed), Joshua Zirkzee, Tammy Abraham, Taty Castellanos
What's at stake: A January striker could define Everton's season and provide much-needed depth

Deal details

Everton's summer striker hunt fell short. The club sold Beto and failed to secure a replacement before the deadline, leaving Moyes with just one recognised striker, Thierno Barry. A move for Folarin Balogun collapsed, while attempts for Joshua Zirkzee, Tammy Abraham and Taty Castellanos also came to nothing.

According to TeamTalk, Everton have now narrowed their focus to two striker targets for January: Esteban Lepaul and Dion Beljo.

Lepaul, 26, joined Rennes in summer 2025 and has scored 24 goals in 42 appearances. He has four goals in six league games this season. Everton are reportedly leading contenders to sign him, with Leeds United and Aston Villa having checked on him, while Brentford and Brighton have also watched developments. It is understood Everton's interest is the strongest.

Beljo, 24, is also on Everton's radar. The 6ft 5in striker has scored 12 goals in his last 14 matches, including 10 in seven league games. Everton, Manchester United, Tottenham and Brentford have all monitored the Croatia international ahead of a possible January move. Newcastle United and Leeds United have also been linked.

The report states that Everton's owners, The Friedkin Group, are actively trying to sell the club but that this will not affect January plans, and they are still prepared to invest in the squad if a takeover does not take place before January.

The numbers

Esteban Lepaul: 24 goals in 42 appearances for Rennes since summer 2025; 4 goals in 6 league games this season
Dion Beljo: 12 goals in his last 14 matches; 10 goals in 7 league games
Thierno Barry: Started all eight of Everton's matches this season; contributed six goals

Why Everton must act now

Everton's need for a striker is acute. Relying on a single 23-year-old, Thierno Barry, for the rigours of a Premier League season is unsustainable, especially with the club's attacking midfielders lacking a focal point. Barry has started all eight matches across all competitions and scored six goals, but the physical and mental load on a young forward is immense.

The failed summer moves for Balogun, Zirkzee, Abraham and Castellanos left Moyes exposed. Brennan Johnson and Charly Alcaraz have been used as emergency forward options, but neither is a natural striker. That is not a structure that can deliver consistent results.

Lepaul offers a different profile: a 26-year-old in form, having scored 24 goals in 42 appearances for Rennes. He is ready for a bigger challenge and would add a reliable goal threat. Beljo, at 6ft 5in, provides a physical presence that Premier League defenders struggle against. His record of 12 goals in 14 matches, including 10 in seven league games, is impressive.

Moyes values reliability, work rate and adaptability. Either target would give him genuine choice and support for Barry, while also providing a plan B. The January window could define Everton's season, and getting this right is crucial.

Talking points

Should Everton prioritise Lepaul's proven goalscoring record or Beljo's physical presence and aerial threat?
Will the ongoing takeover saga affect Everton's ability to close a deal quickly in January?
Is Thierno Barry capable of leading the line for the rest of the season if no striker arrives?
Would signing either target be enough to push Everton up the table, or are other areas more urgent?

What happens next

Everton will continue to monitor Lepaul and Beljo ahead of the January transfer window. The club's ability to move quickly could depend on the takeover situation, but the Friedkin Group are reportedly prepared to invest. With Barry shouldering the load, a new striker is a necessity, not a luxury. The next few weeks will reveal how serious Everton's interest truly is.

Frequently asked questions

Who are Everton targeting in the January transfer window?

Everton are targeting Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul and Dinamo Zagreb's Dion Beljo, according to TeamTalk.

How many strikers do Everton currently have?

Everton have just one recognised striker, Thierno Barry, after selling Beto and failing to sign a replacement in the summer.

Will Everton's takeover affect their January transfer plans?

TeamTalk reports that the Friedkin Group's attempts to sell the club will not affect anything, and they are still prepared to invest in the squad if a takeover doesn't happen before January.