Everton ended the transfer window by selling one striker and failing to sign his intended replacement. The deal for Folarin Balogun collapsed in the final minutes before the deadline.
It is the sequence of events that makes this costly. Beto joined Fiorentina a few hours before the deadline, with Everton confident that Balogun was coming in.
Collapsed at the final hurdle
Balogun was meant to be the club's major attacking signing for the rest of the season. Instead, the deal was called off as Everton tried to get the paperwork over the line at the last minute.
Exactly what stopped it has not been confirmed.
Two emergency options explored
Everton looked for alternatives in the closing stages. The club enquired about a loan deal for Joshua Zirkzee, but Manchester United said no. Tammy Abraham reportedly preferred to stay at Aston Villa.
Neither move materialised.
Short up front
The result is an attacking unit noticeably thinner than it was yesterday, with Thierno Barry now the player they must rely on.
The next opportunity to put things right is January. That is a long time when you are a striker short.
Source: Yahoo Sports