Are Everton making a mistake with their summer transfer plans?

One of the biggest mistakes Everton have made in recent years (and boy, have their been a few) has been the failure to adequately replace Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgium forward averaged a goal roughly every two games for the Toffees so his departure was always going to leave a huge hole in the side.

The club either through accident or design, failed to sign a direct replacement, with Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Nicola Vlasic brought in to try and replace Lukaku’s goals.

Signing four number 10s and no number 9 went as well as expected, with Ronald Koeman paying for those transfer mistakes with his job.

Cenk Tosun was brought in by Sam Allardyce in January but after a reasonably bright start, has struggled for regular action under Marco Silva.

As a result, most supporters believe a big-name striker has to be top of Everton’s shopping list this summer, as it should have been for the past two years.

However, rumours stemming from the club suggest that will not be the case.

The Liverpool Echo is reporting that Everton are unlikely to sign a “huge striker” this summer.

Instead, the club will look to sign a versatile forward like Richarlison, who can play right across the front line.

The club’s argument is that a big-name striker would stunt the progression of the club’s young forwards, Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman.

Tosun and Oumar Niasse, currently on loan at Cardiff, will be allowed to leave.

Director of football Marcel Brands has previously stated that the club is keen to develop young players rather than established stars and this approach would fit into that policy.

But are Everton making a mistake given how important it is to have recognised goalscorer in the side and how the team has struggled post-Lukaku?