Danish media outlets have repeatedly linked Everton to Franculino Dju, but the international team-mate of Beto is unlikely to be moving to a new club next month
05:00, 17 Dec 2025Updated 08:58, 17 Dec 2025
Franculino Dju looks on during the UEFA Europa League match between AS Roma and FC Midtjylland at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2025(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A prolific striker said to have been on Everton’s radar has suffered a cruel blow ahead of the January transfer window. Franculino Dju has been in stunning form for Danish side FC Midtjylland this season, hitting 16 goals in 17 league games.
The Guinea-Bissau international has also set the Europa League alight with four goals in the competition. Those goals have helped Midtjylland to a share of the lead in the group stage having recorded five wins from six games – matching Lyon and Aston Villa.
The 21-year-old will now have to hope his teammates take the club deep into the tournament if he is to add to that tally, however.
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Dju lasted just half an hour of the 3-3 draw with Viborg earlier this month before being withdrawn with injury. Last week manager Mike Tullberg declared he would not be available again in 2025, telling a press conference: “He is injured and will not play again this year.”
The nature of the injury has not been reported but on Tuesday the club revealed in a statement that he was now set to be unavailable until March after undergoing surgery.
Midtjylland wrote on their website: “Franculino has undergone minor surgery following the injury he sustained in the away match against Viborg. He is expected to be ready to play again in March.”
The forward had been watched by numerous clubs from around Europe as he struck form in the opening months of the season.
Danish press have repeatedly claimed Everton have been following him, with one title claiming they have attended eight games this season.
Whether that interest would have developed into anything concrete is unclear given his injury now makes it unlikely that he will move next month.
The Blues have struggled for goals from their strikers with Thierno Barry and Dju’s international team-mate Beto mustering just one each in the Premier League so far.
Everton manager David Moyes has spoken highly of Barry in recent weeks, though, with the France youth international – a summer signing from Villarreal – growing in stature at the club before opening his account in the win over Nottingham Forest.
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