AliousEverton have reportedly joined the growing list of clubs monitoring an in-form striker who is enjoying a remarkable goalscoring campaign and could emerge as a surprise transfer target for David Moyes ahead of the January window.
The Toffees are understood to be keeping a close eye on Waterford forward Tommy Lonergan, whose impressive performances have attracted attention from several clubs across Britain.
The 22-year-old has been in outstanding form this season, finding the net 15 times in all competitions and establishing himself as one of the most exciting goalscorers currently playing in the League of Ireland.
With Everton still looking to strengthen their attacking options after a frustrating summer transfer window, Lonergan could represent an intriguing opportunity for Moyes as he considers how best to improve his squad.
According to TEAMtalk, Everton have stepped up their interest in the young forward, with scouts reportedly watching him during Ireland Under-21s’ impressive 3-1 victory over England.
The match proved to be a major showcase for Lonergan, who scored twice in a result that attracted considerable attention and further increased interest in his services.
However, Everton are not alone in the race, and competition for his signature could become increasingly fierce as the January transfer window approaches.
🚨 EVERTON IDENTIFY A POTENTIAL SOLUTION TO THEIR STRIKER PROBLEM
One of Everton’s biggest disappointments during the summer transfer window was their failure to secure another recognised centre-forward.
The club allowed Beto to leave for Fiorentina on deadline day, leaving Moyes with limited options in the central attacking position.
Everton had hoped to strengthen their forward line by bringing in AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, but the proposed transfer ultimately collapsed after the American forward withdrew from the move following his medical.
The failed deal left the Toffees without the additional striker they had been seeking, increasing the responsibility on summer signing Thierno Barry.
Barry has responded positively, producing encouraging performances and scoring five goals in seven appearances across all competitions. His contribution has offered Everton supporters reasons to be optimistic about the team’s attacking potential.
Nevertheless, relying heavily on one senior centre-forward could become a significant problem over the course of a demanding season.
Injuries, fatigue and suspensions can quickly expose a lack of depth, particularly when a club is competing in a physically demanding league.
That is why the possibility of recruiting another striker in January could become increasingly important for Moyes.
Lonergan’s emergence has now placed another name on Everton’s potential shortlist, although it remains to be seen whether the club will turn its reported interest into a formal offer.
💣 MOYES HAS ALREADY WARNED EVERTON ABOUT THEIR FINISHING
Despite Everton’s encouraging start to the season, Moyes has made it clear that he expects considerably more from his players in front of goal.
The Toffees collected nine points from their opening five Premier League matches, establishing a solid foundation for the campaign.
However, their manager was dissatisfied with the number of chances his side failed to convert during the 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town before the international break.
Moyes reportedly challenged his players to improve several aspects of their attacking performance, including the quality of their crosses, their finishing inside the penalty area and their willingness to shoot from distance.
The Everton boss believes that becoming more clinical could make a significant difference to the team’s overall level.
His concerns underline why strengthening the attacking department could be a priority when the transfer market reopens.
Although Barry has shown promise, Everton need enough depth and quality to ensure that their goalscoring threat does not depend on a single player maintaining his current form.
Lonergan could offer an alternative option, particularly if his impressive record in Ireland convinces Everton’s recruitment team that he has the potential to make the step up.
However, scoring regularly in the League of Ireland does not automatically guarantee success in the Premier League, and any potential move would require careful assessment.
🔥 EVERTON FACE COMPETITION FROM SUNDERLAND, BRIGHTON AND BRENTFORD
According to the report, Everton have sent scouts to watch Lonergan in action, but several other clubs are also monitoring his progress.
Sunderland, Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford and Leeds United are among the teams whose representatives were reportedly present for Ireland Under-21s’ victory over England.
That level of interest suggests Lonergan’s performances are beginning to attract attention beyond his current club.
His two-goal contribution in the 3-1 win provided an opportunity to demonstrate his finishing ability against international opposition, strengthening his growing reputation.
For Everton, the challenge will be deciding whether to move early before competition for the striker intensifies.
If several clubs believe Lonergan has the potential to develop into a top-level forward, Waterford could find themselves in a strong negotiating position.
The Toffees would also need to consider the player’s development pathway, the transfer fee involved and whether he could make an immediate contribution or require time to adapt to English football.
At 22, Lonergan still has room to develop, making him a potentially interesting option for a club looking to strengthen its attack while investing in a player who could improve over the coming years.
⚽ WHY TOMMY LONERGAN IS ATTRACTING SO MUCH ATTENTION
Lonergan’s goalscoring record is the biggest reason his name has started appearing in transfer discussions.
The Waterford forward has scored 15 goals across all competitions this season, including 14 in the League of Ireland.
That domestic tally has placed him at the top of the division’s scoring charts with only four matches remaining in the campaign.
His pursuit of the Golden Boot has become particularly impressive given Waterford’s position in the league standings.
The club currently sit eighth, meaning Lonergan has been producing his goals for a team that has not enjoyed the same level of success as some of its rivals.
For scouts, that context can make his numbers especially interesting. Maintaining such a scoring record while playing for a struggling side may indicate an ability to create opportunities and deliver in difficult circumstances.
His performances have also earned praise from Ireland Under-21 manager Jim Crawford, who highlighted both the striker’s personality and his quality in front of goal.
Crawford described Lonergan as an excellent character to have within the squad and praised the season he has enjoyed.
He also suggested that the striker’s performance against England demonstrated that he could compete at a higher level.
Those comments will strengthen the impression that Lonergan is a player worth monitoring, although the next stage of his development will depend on the opportunities he receives and how successfully he adapts to a more demanding competition.
🚨 COULD LONERGAN BE A SMART JANUARY SIGNING FOR EVERTON?
From Everton’s perspective, recruiting Lonergan could be an opportunity to address a clear weakness in the squad.
The club’s failed pursuit of Balogun left Moyes without the additional senior striker he wanted, while Beto’s departure reduced the number of established centre-forward options available.
Although Barry has performed encouragingly, Everton cannot afford to assume that one player will remain fit and productive throughout the entire campaign.
Bringing in another forward could provide competition, offer tactical flexibility and reduce the pressure on Barry to start every match.
Lonergan’s impressive scoring form makes him an intriguing candidate, but there would be important questions to answer before Everton commit to a deal.
His experience outside Ireland is limited, with a brief spell at Fleetwood Town representing his only previous stint away from his home country.
Moving to the Premier League would represent a substantial step up in intensity, quality and expectation.
Everton would therefore need to determine whether he is ready to contribute immediately or whether a gradual introduction to English football would be more appropriate.
A move to a Premier League club could provide Lonergan with a major opportunity, but his development would need to be managed carefully.
💙 THE VERDICT: EVERTON’S STRIKER SEARCH COULD BE HEATING UP
Everton’s reported interest in Tommy Lonergan comes at a time when Moyes has reason to examine his attacking options ahead of January.
The Toffees have made a respectable start to the campaign, but the manager’s concerns about their finishing and the lack of depth at centre-forward remain important issues.
Lonergan’s 15-goal return, his position at the top of the League of Ireland scoring charts and his impressive performance for Ireland Under-21s have put him firmly on the radar of several clubs.
Everton could view him as a promising addition, but Sunderland, Brighton, Brentford and Leeds are also reportedly keeping an eye on his situation.
For now, there is no confirmed agreement or indication that Everton have submitted an official bid.
Nevertheless, with the January window approaching, Lonergan’s future is one to watch as clubs assess whether his remarkable scoring form can translate into success at a higher level.
Could David Moyes have found Everton’s next goalscoring sensation, or will one of their Premier League rivals beat the Toffees to the signature of the 15-goal striker? 👀💙
Alious
