Everton’s Beto transfer leaves Fiorentina with growing problem

Former Everton striker Beto is struggling to establish himself at Fiorentina following his reported €18million summer transfer, with the Italian club facing mounting concerns over their attack.

The 28-year-old has yet to score in Serie A and has lost ground in the competition for a starting place.

Meanwhile, Everton are dealing with the consequences of his departure after a failed deadline-day move for Folarin Balogun left David Moyes short of recognised strikers.

Fiorentina signed Beto from Everton in September as a replacement for Moise Kean, who joined Como.

The Guinea-Bissau international arrived with experience of Italian football, having previously scored regularly for Udinese.

However, his return to Serie A has proved difficult.

Fiorentina Uno reported concerns about his limited attacking contribution, while La Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted his declining involvement.

Beto played just 19 minutes across three recent league matches, with fellow summer signing Mateo Pellegrino preferred from the start.

Manager Paolo Vanoli has also questioned the striker's confidence, although Fiorentina's wider attacking problems have affected both forwards.

Sporting director Fabio Paratici therefore faces a challenge to extract more value from the club's summer investment.

Beto's departure created a different problem at Everton.

Moyes lost an experienced centre-forward but was unable to secure the replacement he wanted.

According to The Guardian, Everton had agreed a deal worth approximately £40million for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun before the transfer collapsed.

Subsequent enquiries about Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham also failed to produce an agreement.

That left Thierno Barry as Everton's only recognised senior striker, reducing Moyes' options during the opening months of the campaign.

Beto's immediate future may also be complicated by player eligibility regulations.

Under FIFA rules, players can generally represent only two clubs in official matches during a season, subject to limited exceptions.

Whether that restriction would affect Beto depends on his confirmed competitive appearances and any proposed destination.

There is currently no confirmed plan for Fiorentina to sell him or for Everton to pursue a reunion.

Fiorentina must decide how to restore Beto's confidence and involvement before January.

Everton, meanwhile, face a separate decision over whether to reinforce their attack after failing to replace him during the summer.