Everton tried to sign Olivier Giroud in the summer, but should now switch his attention to his Arsenal teammate.
Everton’s failure to sign a replacement for Romelu Lukaku has left them tootheless up top this season.
BBC Sport quotes former Toffees boss Ronald Koeman as telling Dutch football magazine Voetbal International that he “had Olivier Giroud in the building”, but the Frenchman decided to stay at Arsenal.
Koeman’s sacking may spell the end of Everton’s interest in Giroud, who is now even less likely to want to leave London for Merseyside having witnessed the tumultuous start to the season at Goodison Park.
But a striker will remain the January priority for Everton’s new manager, and whoever is appointed could do worse than to look again towards the Emirates Stadium, at Giroud’s teammate Theo Walcott.
Walcott has fallen badly out of favour at the Gunners this campaign. His six starts have all come away from the Premier League and he has only made three substitute appearances in the top flight.
The 28-year-old should be entering the prime of his career, but is in danger of letting it waste away.
Walcott is far from past his best – his 19 goals in 37 matches last season was a career high for the 48-times capped England international – and proof that he can be clinical enough to play as a centre forward.
Throughout his career, Walcott has always wanted the opportunity to play through the middle. That path for him at Arsenal is blocked, and Everton’s attack is crying out for the pace and directness he could offer.
He needs a fresh start, and Everton need a striker. They need each other.
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