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Everton fans are crying out for a big marquee striker signing, but could the Toffees scoop a bargain by signing Southampton front man Charlie Austin?
What's the word?
Everton have looked superb at times this season, but they are just lacking that clinical number nine to hold the ball up, run the channels, and most importantly stick the ball in the back of the net.
Several reports have claimed Marco Silva wants a proven goalscorer in the January transfer market, so why not Austin?
The emergence of Michael Obafemi means the Saints now have five centre forwards on their books, and Austin has started just seven Premier League games this season.
The Englishman’s Southampton contract runs out in the summer of 2020, meaning he would be easily affordable as the Toffees recorded a second consecutive year of record revenues in 2018.
Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he's still got it! Check out the video below...
Is he good enough?
Fans may turn their noses up at the prospect of signing a struggling striker from one of the worst teams in the league, but Austin has proven throughout his career that he will score goals if given the chance.
He has scored three times for the Saints this season, taking his total at St. Mary’s to 20.
This comes after scoring 44 goals in 90 appearances for Burnley and 47 in 89 games for QPR, including that memorable 2014-15 season when he gabbed 18 Premier League goals with seven assists.
The 29 year-old is elite in the air, and he could score tons of headers at Goodison with crosses flying in from the likes of Lucas Digne and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
His hold-up play and ability to bring others into the game is very underrated as well, as he would supply a lot more chances for Richarlison and Theo Walcott than either of Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Cenk Tosun could manage.
Fans may be desperate for a world class striker signing, but with the money spent on the likes of Yerry Mina and Richarlison this summer they may have to settle for a cheaper option, so could Austin be the one?
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