Romelu Lukaku could now derail Everton's bid to seal new signing as £3.9m offer accepted - report

Everton face yet more transfer window frustration courtesy of former striker Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku, 32, left Everton in 2017 after three successful seasons at Goodison Park.

After spells at Manchester United, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Roma, Napoli signed the Belgian striker in August 2024.

In his debut season, Lukaku fired Napoli to the Serie A title by scoring 14 goals in 36 league games.

However, due to a serious thigh injury and a fresh setback in his recovery in December, Lukaku has yet to play for the reigning Italian champions this term.

Romelu Lukaku could be offered Napoli escape route to Everton’s detriment

Many Evertonians are likely to agree with the fact that the Blues have not had a striker anywhere near Lukaku’s level since he left Merseyside almost 10 years ago.

And that’s one of the reasons why David Moyes is in a race to sign a new centre-forward before the winter transfer window closes on 2 February.

Unfortunately, Lukaku’s situation at Napoli could get in the way.

That’s because Everton have had an offer accepted by Fenerbahce for striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu reported on Thursday that the Toffees’ offer will see them cover the 28-year-old’s £3.9million wages for the rest of the season.

On Friday, Turkish newspaper Sabah added more detail, claiming in their print edition that with En-Nesyri not in Fenerbahce’s plans, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Al-Sadd and Napoli have all reached out over a January deal.

It is understood that Napoli are looking to seal a loan-to-buy deal for the Morocco international.

However, Fenerbahce want a permanent sale for a striker who, according to Sofascore, ranks second in the Turkish Super Lig for touches per shot (6.8) and eighth for shots per game (2.4).

Sabah goes on to add that “there is a possibility” that Lukaku could be offered as a makeweight to seal a deal for Antonio Conte to beat Everton to their transfer target.

• Read more: Romelu Lukaku has raved about a player who Everton are trying to sign in blockbuster move

Is En-Nesyri better than Beto?

Everton’s weakness this season has probably been their two strikers.

Beto and Thierno Barry have both struggled to get among the goals despite having gifted players alongside them in the attack and behind them in the midfield.

Stats by Sofascore show that Beto has underperformed on his xG this season by 2.47, meaning that he should have scored at least four times this term, despite only netting twice.

Barry has three goals to his name, but has still slightly underperformed on his xG by 0.49.

En-Nesyri is arguably in the same boat as Beto.

Despite netting seven times this season in the Turkish Super Lig for one of the country’s best and most famous clubs, the ex-Sevilla forward has an xG of 8.42, meaning he’s also not scoring as often as he should.

However, despite playing a similar amount of league minutes to both, En-Nesyri has considerably more goals per game and only missed one more big chance.

Is En-Nesyri an upgrade on Beto? It looks like it, yes.

Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.

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