OPINION
Marco Silva needs to sign a new striker to take Everton to the next level, that much has become very clear over the course of the season so far.
Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have both proved they are not up to the task, while Richarlison has filled in admirably but is clearly more comfortable in his natural position on the wing.
Oumar Niasse is another striker on the club’s books, but the Senegal international was deemed surplus to requirements and has been loaned out to Cardiff.
Unfortunately for him, Silva has revealed that the Toffees do not have funds to make a permanent signing this month, leaving him limited to loan deals.
That is not an ideal situation for the club to be in considering how badly they need reinforcements, but it is not an impossible one.
The right loan deal can be found if you look hard enough, although Silva may not have to look that hard to find one player who would be a perfect signing this month.
Speaking to ESPN, Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has admitted he is frustrated with his current situation at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s true that every time I play from the start I try to bring something to the team, to play my part. But in these 14 games I started maybe only half of them, so it’s a bit difficult to be consistent in this case.
“You need to play a few games in a row to be competitive, so that’s what’s a bit difficult in this last month,” he said.
While Giroud has obviously stopped short of saying he wants to leave the club, it is clear that he is not satisfied with his current standing in the Chelsea squad.
Everton on the other hand would be able to offer him a starting role every week, and with players like Richarlison, Bernard and Ademola Lookman supplying him, the France international would surely be deadly for the Toffees.
A loan move for Giroud makes perfect sense for Everton this month, and they must capitalise on his unhappiness in London to try and lure him to Merseyside for the rest of the season, and possibly beyond.