Latest on rumoured targets

Sounds like business as usual at Everton. The buyers at our club are probably too busy thrashing out a new deal for Joel Robles or something.

Free agent Gomis looks set to join Swansea? Why are we not in for a player like this, I'm sure that even our limited funds we can put a better package together than Swansea........

So players the papers have linked us with are moving elsewhere. So what?

Maybe we haven't made a bid because Roberto has his own targets in mind and doesn't follow what lies lazy journos make up?

So basically our targets are going elsewhere because we are too slow fannying around. Same old Everton, eh.

Roberto probably does have his own targets in mind, I just hope that is the case and it's not down to our board playing up as per usual. We very rarely do early business anymore, no doubt due to the fact we'd have to pay a player's wages for longer if he signed at the end of May or June.

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.

Jim #859

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!

If no "concrete bid" has been made on any of the aforementioned players then who's to say Everton were actually interested?

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)?

Attacking midfielder who's [sort of] proved himself [occasionally] in the Premier League; needs to get better, but still young; occasionally disastrous, but has potential..... Jonjo Shelvey, anyone?!!

Good player, Nicholas.

Nicholas #900

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 !

Shelvey? Surely someone's having a laugh. He couldn't cut the mustard at a club who, while he was there, finished below us in the league and couldn't even get into their team on a regular basis. Surely if we have any aspirations of bettering last season's position, we need to look at players who will improve the side and not someone just to make up the numbers.

Bony?

If I was a representative of Napoli, trying to attract a footballer to my club, I would meet him in Milan – Naples is a major shithole!

After yesterday at the World Cup, is there any question that we should forget about Lukaku who would cost all of the £20 million Dollar Bill is willing to spend and shoot for Jackson Martinez of Colombia/Porto and Perisic of Croatia and some German team?

Actually Naples is a brilliant place - just like Liverpool.

Now our manager has got himself banned from virtually everywhere in Brazil, let's hope he's on his way to somewhere important (eg, Spain) to begin recruiting for the forthcoming campaign.
We all know Bill will back him 100% with a Wonga loan.

How about a shout for Michu, and possibly Hernandez. Both want out of their respective clubs and have proved themselves in the EPL.

Not much value for money with all that lot. Only Lukaku would represent value for money. Bony isn't a £20M player. Gomis overrated and high wages wouldn't fit in here. MIchu too slow but useful if cheap.

I'd certainly take Hernandez. Needs a fresh challenge and is a very good player. Probably available for not very much in comparison with Lukaku, Bony, etc.

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.

Stay away from Gamboa. From my hometown club, Rosenborg. Looks great with pace, but provides no assists or goals, and actually defends at best average. Seamus to stay on, so no worries.

Here's hoping for a busy week next week, and the same buzz as when Robles, Delboy and Kone signed early July last year.