Everton chase free‑agent Anthony Martial as striker after £65m exits

Everton have been offered the chance to sign former Manchester United striker Anthony Martial on a free transfer, 30‑year‑old Frenchman left Mexican side Monterrey by mutual consent and is now available as the Toffees search for a replacement after recent departures.

Striker shortage forces Everton's pursuit

Everton's attacking options have been raided ahead of the deadline, with Iliman Ndiaye moving to Manchester City for £65 million and Beto joining Fiorentina. The departures have left David Moyes with only centre‑forward Thierno Barry available. Moyes confirmed the club are browsing the free‑agent market after using just 19 of 25 Premier League roster places.

Echoes of the Dele Alli saga

The situation mirrors the 2022 attempt to sign Dele Alli, a move described as ‘Another Dele Alli’ scenario. Everton snapped up Alli amid injuries to Abdoulaye Doucoure, Fabian Delph and the departure of Jean‑Philippe Gbamin, hoping he would be a season‑changer. The Alli deal ultimately failed to deliver, and the Martial offer now presents a similar gamble.

Anthony Martial, 30, brings a substantial Premier League record: 209 appearances, 63 goals and 33 assists over nine seasons at Manchester United. He left Old Trafford in 2024, spent a spell at AEK Athens, then signed a two‑year deal with Monterrey that was terminated early by mutual agreement. Two Ligue 1 sides and La Liga outfit Malaga have shown interest, but the Frenchman appears to prefer a return to the Premier League.

Moyes said, “Disappointed we didn’t do more business, disappointed things didn’t go our way in the end. But sometimes in football you have to live with disappointments and we will move on.” He added that the club want a team that can challenge at the top end. Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag warned, “He has to work on that, he has to be more available. When he is there, he is really important for us because we play our best football when he is available.”

The story was reported by Reuters and written by Toby Bryant. By Toby Bryant, a senior sports journalist, the piece notes he has been with GiveMeSport since July 2026. Formerly of LondonWorld, Bryant covered Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and West Ham, and worked as a Sports Lifestyle Writer across the Iconic Media titles after stints in Brighton and Newcastle. His previous work includes, The Daily, FantasyFootballScout, Magazine, Metro and The Irish Times. The report appeared in sports news and was published at PM GMT+1 for us.

If Martial signs, Everton gain a player with proven Premier League quality, while the French striker secures a chance to revive his career in England. The free‑agent deal offers both sides a potential boost without a transfer fee.