Seasons » 2013-14 » Rumour Mill
Latest on rumoured targets
Some of the more likely players linked with Everton since the season ended have been in the news.Chelsea have told representatives of Romelu Lukaku, a verified Roberto Martinez target, that they won't be loaning the Belgian out again and that if he leaves Stamford Bridge this summer, it will be on a permanent deal.
Jose Mourinho is believed to have decided that Lukaku, for whom reports suggest Atletico Madrid are best placed among the rumoured suitors, doesn't fit his system.
Some reports last month had suggested that Chelsea might offer Lukaku a new deal and then loan him back to Everton but that seems unlikely now.
Bafetembi Gomis, a reputed Everton target in the January window, is on the verge of joining Swansea City on a free transfer. That has led to speculation that Wilfried Bony — also linked with the Blues — could be moving on this summer, although Gary Monk would no doubt prefer to partner the Frenchman with the Ivory Coast international.
Michy Batshuayi, hotly tipped to join Everton on transfer deadline day in January, looks set to sign for Marseilles. Standard Liege apparently accepted a £7m bid from Swansea for the young Belgian but Batshuayi favoured a move to a bigger club, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton all reportedly interested but none of whom came through with a concrete bid.
Finally, Ivan Perisic's agent, Toni Martic, was reportedly in Milan yesterday meeting representatives of an unknown club. The versatile Croatian, who was a shining light in his country's disappointing World Cup campaign, is supposedly being tracked by Napoli, Juventus and Everton, in particular, but the former of the Serie A clubs appear to be the clear favourites to sign him.
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846 Posted 25/06/2014 at 07:48:01
847 Posted 25/06/2014 at 07:51:49
848 Posted 25/06/2014 at 08:05:25
854 Posted 25/06/2014 at 08:12:46
859 Posted 25/06/2014 at 08:29:49
The three most successful signings last summer all arrived on the last minute before the window closed but that's a dangerous game to play again, the three lads we did sign, Barry, McCarthy and Lukaku were all used to the way the Premier League is played and needed no real wet nursing and bedding in period like with many new players to the English game.
The likes of Deulofeu took a while to get settled, playing mainly cameo performances and you felt just as he was getting going then he is leaving again, it's the same for many new imports.
I think we should forget Lukaku and there is no chance of Bony either. I just hope we don't start the season with Kone and Traore as our two strikers, that's hardly improving the squad, is it?
Knowing us, we will kick off at Leicester with Osman on the left of midfield and nothing other than Pienaar or McGeady on the bench if it's going wrong.
It's a big season for McGeady, he hasn't really nailed down a regular place yet despite signing in early January. If he is still behind Osman and Pienaar on last season's form then that becomes a concern.
894 Posted 25/06/2014 at 12:09:58
I can understand your frustration at hearing little more than speculative rumours, as most of us are too. I think it's a bit early to blame the inactivity on the Board alone.
The transfer window doesn't really open till July 1st. plus Roberto has been involved with ESPN, I have little doubt that Bobby has, as you rightly mentioned, specific targets already identified.
Should any of those targets be involved in World Cup action (I can think of at least one or two) their performances, if good, can exponentially raise the price, as likewise if poor can go in the other direction, or clubs can lose interest altogether.
In an ideal world we would want to get all new players well bedded in before kick-off. I am still pretty convinced that had we achieved this (with our deadline day signings) last season, we would certainly have gained more points from the first few games. (Hypothetical I know, but my opinion all the same.)
Here's hoping that we will shop wisely and get value for money, I place my trust as most of us will no doubt, in Roberto!
897 Posted 25/06/2014 at 12:28:23
More of a case of journos putting two and two together and merely "guessing" who's interested in whom.
Stay calm and don't bite (see what I did there)?
900 Posted 25/06/2014 at 12:42:29
901 Posted 25/06/2014 at 12:50:37
908 Posted 25/06/2014 at 13:01:05
Your use of [sort of] and [occasionally] in the case of Jonjo Shelvey probably sums it up! How often, should we even entertain him (hypothetically), is that going to happen? Also, could he do it in games that really matter ? Plus there is the obvious connection that he used to play for the RS !
912 Posted 25/06/2014 at 13:20:25
915 Posted 25/06/2014 at 13:32:23
917 Posted 25/06/2014 at 12:00:46
984 Posted 25/06/2014 at 19:11:34
996 Posted 25/06/2014 at 19:44:01
115 Posted 26/06/2014 at 09:41:53
We all know Bill will back him 100% with a Wonga loan.
252 Posted 26/06/2014 at 20:27:05
255 Posted 26/06/2014 at 20:34:56
256 Posted 26/06/2014 at 20:35:55
Another I'd have a look at is Christian Gamboa, Oviedo's right-sided counterpart for Costa Rica, currently at Rosenborg.
Looked quality during the England game (not hard, I know). Assuming that game wasn't a fluke, I think he'd be a top notch replacement for Hibbert and give Seamus some proper competition.
354 Posted 27/06/2014 at 14:44:16
Here's hoping for a busy week next week, and the same buzz as when Robles, Delboy and Kone signed early July last year.
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844 Posted 25/06/2014 at 07:44:58