Following the sacking of Frank Lampard earlier this week, Everton look to be a club in chaos, with Farhad Moshiri now facing the unenviable task of bringing in a new manager and new signings before the transfer window shuts next week.

One man who has been linked with a switch to Goodison Park is former Stoke City and West Ham United forward Marko Arnautovic, in what has been described as an 'emergency' January signing.

What's the word?

According to Sam Wallace in The Telegraph, the Toffees are keen on signing the Bologna forward as they look to add the sort of firepower that could keep them in the Premier League.

The Austria international has started the Serie A season in impressive fashion, notching eight goals in 14 appearances, with a WhoScored average rating of 6.77, which is better than any of the attacking options in Everton's squad.

At 33, Arnautovic would certainly not be a signing for the long term but he has scored 43 Premier League goals in his career, so his experience and quality in the top flight could well be the difference between relegation and staying up this season.

A game-changer for Everton?

Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon currently sit joint-top of the goalscoring charts in Everton's squad with just three goals each, while the latter looks to be on his way to Newcastle United in the current window, which suggests that attacking additions are a must if the Toffees have any hope of staying up.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay have both been extremely underwhelming in their performances so far this campaign, with just two goals between them, so the need for a consistent goalscorer such as Arnautovic is clear.

While he is a controversial figure, there is no doubting his goal record, as he would hit double figures in three Premier League seasons with Stoke and West Ham, and managed 14 in Serie A with Bologna in his first year at the club.

Former teammate Jack Wilshere was full of praise for the experienced Austrian during their time together at the London Stadium in 2018.

He said:

“Arnautovic is some player. I’ve played with some strikers, great players and he is up there. He is right up there.

“Ability-wise he’s powerful, he’s got so much in his game. His attitude is brilliant. He’s a good character and is one of the leaders in the team as well."

This sounds like exactly the sort of character Everton's new manager will need in the dressing room in the second half of the season, which could prove crucial in keeping the Toffees up after some woeful recent form.

 

There is no doubt that Everton need a boost both on and off the pitch, and Moshiri signing a leader like Arnautovic could truly be a game-changer if he can bring his goals from Italy back to the Premier League.