Everton's 3-1 defeat to Sunderland was sobering, as it ended dreamy hopes of seeing David Moyes lead the Toffees out into Europe after so many years.

With just one match remaining in the Premier League this term, Everton's chances of boarding the continental train are negligible, but that certainly doesn't discredit the remarkable job that the Scotsman has done since replacing Sean Dyche in January 2025.

No longer are Everton dealing with the threat of relegation, and with a few well-placed signings this summer, they could take that next leap onto the top platform of England's top flight, contesting with the heavyweights for a route into European competition.

Everton set sights on Premier League striker

Thierno Barry may well have had the definitive say in the Premier League title fight, his brace knocking Manchester City from top spot. The Frenchman has had something of a topsy-turvy season on Merseyside, but he's talented and has the potential to be a star.

However, there's no question that Everton could invest in greater depth and quality in the final third, and with Beto's future uncertain, it appears that the Friedkin Group are ready to grant Moyes the power to add some more quality to his frontline.

According to The i Paper, Everton have learned that a £60m bid could be enough to bring William Osula over to Merseyside; the Newcastle United striker's future has been called into question despite his prolific improvements for Eddie Howe's outfit.

With the Magpies in need of a rebuild this summer, Osula could be collateral damage, and Everton would only be too happy to sweep up the pieces and allow him to continue his Premier League journey on Merseyside.

Osula, 22, is talented, but he is raw. That said, he has so much potential, possibly even more than Barry.

Why Osula could be a Barry upgrade for Everton

Osula has scored seven times in the Premier League this season, and six of those strikes have arrived across his past eight games, of which only six were from the opening whistle.

He might not have enjoyed the same amount of top-flight action as Barry this season, but the one-time Sheffield United prospect is showing that he is capable of something rare and meaningful in football: development, and acceptance that his game has flaws.

Barry, too, is making gains after a tough start, but Osula's instinctiveness in the final third is exactly what Everton need to rid themselves of the profligate tag that has proved the difference in challenging for European football this season.

Last season, Osula only featured 14 times in the Premier League, and none of those outings were starts. Not only pale in front of goal, the Danish-born forward lost 71% of his duels across the campaign, completing fewer than five passes per game.

He has come on leaps and bounds. With seven goals scored and only four big chances missed across his seven starts this season, he's made headway, and a 38% duel success rate underpins his growth as a Premier League striker.

This isn't to say that Barry pales in comparison, but Everton's No. 11 has not been so clinical when shooting, with a 22% conversion rate this season (Osula's conversion rate is 30%).

Howe has previously hailed Osula's physicality and potential to become a significant threat in front of goal - whether that is at St. James' Park or the Hill Dickinson remains to be seen, but Moyes needs such a frontman, one who could wrestle for the ascendancy with Barry and who might just come out on top.