Everton weigh free-agent moves for Vardy and Martial after chaotic summer window

Everton are weighing moves for free agents Jamie Vardy and Anthony Martial after a summer transfer window that left David Moyes with Thierno Barry as the club’s only recognised central striker.

The Toffees’ window unravelled in its final hours. A medical issue ended their pursuit of Monaco forward Folarin Balogun, a loan move for Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee also failed to materialise, and winger Iliman Ndiaye was sold to Manchester City — a departure Moyes described as one the club “definitely didn’t want.”

According to The Sun, Everton are now considering a move for Vardy, 39, who has been without a club since leaving Italian side Cremonese at the end of last season. The veteran striker scored seven goals in 29 Serie A appearances for Cremonese after a decorated 14-year spell at Leicester City, where he netted 200 goals in 500 outings and won the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and three European campaigns. Vardy has also been linked with Wrexham, West Ham, and Sheffield Wednesday this summer.

talkSPORT has reported that Everton have additionally been offered the services of Anthony Martial. The French forward, 28, is a free agent following a brief stint with Mexican club Monterrey and a spell with Greek side AEK Athens after leaving Manchester United.

Moyes was candid about the frustrations of the window, telling reporters: “I don’t do the financials here, it’s not me who does it. We lost Illy, someone we definitely didn’t want to lose. But sometimes it’s quite difficult when the likes of Man City come along looking for your players. I’ve lost Wayne Rooney to Manchester United, I’ve lost Joleon Lescott and Jack Rodwell to Man City over the years.”

On the Balogun deal falling through, Moyes was measured: “It wasn’t anybody’s fault. It happens in football a lot. The player had a problem in his medical and that was simply it. There’s no other story behind it.”

Neither the Vardy nor the Martial move has been confirmed, and both players remain free agents as Everton assess their options outside the transfer window.