Manchester United confirm Lukaku bid has been accepted

Saturday, 8 July, 2017 417comments  |  Jump to most recent
Updated Manchester United have announced that they have successfully negotiated what stands to be a world record fee with Everton for Romelu Lukaku.

The Toffees have accepted a bid of £75m rising to £90m if appearance-related add-ons are triggered, with finalisation of the transfer dependent on the Belgian agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

The news comes after reports that Chelsea had matched the base bid offered by United but it has not been enough to put them ahead in the race to sign their former striker.

Either with Everton's permission or without, Lukaku has remained in Los Angeles this week to hold talks and undergo a medical with United's staff who are preparing for the forthcoming International Champions Cup which kicks off on 19 July.

The move that will take Lukaku from Goodison Park to Old Trafford could be formally announced later today along with Everton's confirmation of Wayne Rooney's return to Goodison Park on a free transfer.  



Reader Comments (417)

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Geoff Lambert
1 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:39:51
And off we go!!!
Charlie Lloyd
2 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:40:05
A bidding war then!

Ray Robinson
3 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:44:47
One of Mourinho or Conte will resign over this!
Graham Coldron
4 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:46:15
Not really bothered where he ends up just so long as we get the deal that's the best for us.

And it looks like the Rooney gig is a "done deal" – loving all this!

Colin Glassar
5 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:47:50
Or commit suicide, Ray.
Lev Vellene
6 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:48:12
Could this be a good thing? Yes! Now, let us start building a proper team!
Alexander Murphy
7 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:50:27
Ray (#3).

That is some shout mate. Not saying that you are wrong and I never ever have a bet. But that really is a cracker. I'm almost tempted to risk a knicker! Think you get full credit there, mate.

Simon Smith
8 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:50:57
If you were Lukaku, would you re-sign for the Special One, even though he is at a different club now, knowing that he got rid of you in the first place? Or go back to Chelsea now they have a different man in charge?

Food for thought... assuming the wages on offer from them both are the same!!

Peter Laing
9 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:52:10
Alan Myers tweeting that Lukaku to Man Utd is a done deal tomorrow – he's been very rarely wrong particularly of late.
John Mckay
10 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:52:23
It'll be sad to see him go, not the best all round player but boy can he score goals.

I feel happy he is going and also sad. Happy for him because he is ambitions and even though he has dicked us around with contract and stuff we was always a stepping stone for him, and I get that we are not a top top team anymore.

To be classed as a top 3 super star player you need to be at a big club. He will be a superstar the minute he signs for United.

Wish him well; thanks for the goals, Rom.

Chris Gallagher
11 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:52:23
BBC reporting the agent will make £10m in fees if he goes to Man Utd, less if Chelsea. Personally I couldn't give two hoots where he goes but, regardless of how much is paid for Lukaku, I'd be disappointed if Everton received less than £80m after agent's fees.

Edit: Sorry, not BBC. It's from Sky's Kavel Solhekol.

Dan Humphrey
12 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:53:52
Hate the idea that these scum agents have any terms... their client should pay them out of their deal. It's not as if top end players don't get enough ££. Ridiculous.
Steven Telford
13 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:54:53
Can you fucking believe the gall of Phil Neville, posting a Photoshopped Lukaku in a united shirt before any deal is done. That classless piece of shit disrespects EFC to the sort of degree that should have him lynched if he ever enters Goodison again.

I'm embarrassed to say he ever wore our shirt, let alone captained us.

Terence Beresford
14 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:55:19
I just hope hope we can drag this out all summer long.

We know he's going but let's unsettle both clubs as much as possible.

Just get all our deals done and leave both clubs fighting over him.

Paul Hewitt
15 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:55:41
Sign for Chelsea... then hopefully Man Utd won't sell us Rooney.
Lev Vellene
16 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:56:51
Simon (#8),

Lukaku already told us about that! Where does the smell of money and Premier League lead???

So it could be be Chelski, or Manure. And either will shower us with sweet, sweet dosh to buy new talent!

I just love (and pray for...) that last laugh in a couple of years!

Danny Broderick
17 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:57:56
He's in America waiting to join Man Utd's American tour. He's having his medical over there and he's on holiday with Pogba. It's all set up –too little, too late from Chelsea.

The Rooney deal is a done deal, it seems. One top mobile striker to replace that lazy sod now, and this will have been the best transfer window I can remember. Aguero, Vardy or Dembele for me now please!

Alexander Murphy
18 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:58:18
Let's reword things, shall we ?

Employee sold at immense profit, position available.

Steven Telford
19 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:58:47
I hope it's Chelsea, just to spite that piece of shit Phil Neville.
Mark Tanton
20 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:58:48
Completely agree, Steven – a more limited top-flight footballer than Phil Neville in his 'prime', you'd struggle to find.
Ben Howard
21 Posted 07/07/2017 at 22:59:30
Chill out, Stephen! I was never Pip's greatest fan as a player but as a man and ambassador he was top class. He's a Man Utd fan with a massive amount of respect for Everton. He was having a fucking laugh! I bet you're a riot yourself!
Gareth Stephens
22 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:00:22
Chris (#11), I didn't think that Everton would have to pay him anything given that it's the money grabbing mercenary that instigated the move himself.

I think that Manchester United would be paying the agent's fees. Good riddance to the lazy egotistical bastard.

Steven Telford
23 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:01:45
He wasn't just having a laugh, its a pattern of behavior he always had, even when he was our captain. Seriously, that's so disrespectful what he did.
Ray Robinson
24 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:01:49
Spot on, Ben (#21).
Peter Laing
25 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:02:32
Good call on cap'n Neville, 1st lutienant and top snitch to Moyes who perpetuated the notion of 'plucky little Everton' and finishing in the top 10 was good enough.
Lev Vellene
26 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:02:58
Steven (#19),

That was "trolling"! Take it as a free lesson before you help that Nigerian Prince make you rich!

Gavin Johnson
27 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:03:24
Apparently the deal with Rooney is agreed and it is totally independent of Lukaku going the other way. So it looks like it could well be a £100m deal if you add £10m in agent fees and a further £15m in add-ons.

I don't see Chelsea being at the races now. This bid feels like too little, too late to me. More posturing than anything else.

Jack Convery
28 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:03:41
Who's got a gavel. We will need a gavel. Fair warning!! Come on Bayern – join in! How about it PSG – you are loaded too.

Wherever he ends up, we should start practising "Romelu, Romelu, What's the score?" for when he plays us at Goodsion next season.

(Yes, I know it will be 2018-19 before we get the chance to play Bayern and PSG.)

Steven Telford
29 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:06:16
You want to see class, even when Cesc Fabregas knew he may be going to Barcelona after the Spanish world cup win, and he team mates tried to put a Barcelona shirt on him, and he he refused, humbly taking it off. That's class.
Phil Neville is an ambassador for nothing blue.
Brian Hennessy
30 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:06:33
If Lukaku really does want to go to Chelsea then he has played a blinder hanging on in the States to make it look like he is going to sign for United.

For a guy that normally can't keep his mouth shut I haven't seen a word from him in recent days which leaves me to believe this has all been a plan from him and his agent to force Chelsea into making a move.

I could be totally wrong but if I had to bet on it, I think he is heading to the Bridge – either way, a bidding war is good for Everton

Ben Howard
32 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:09:20
You have your view if him and you're welcome to it but just bear in mind you advocated lynching him for playing with Photoshop.
Brent Stephens
33 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:09:29
And to think at least one of our own on here predicted he'd be sold for no more than £10m as that's all he's worth. Milk this for all it's worth! And then buy.
Jack Convery
34 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:12:14
Have Moshiri and Kenwright hit the mother lode? Is this really EFC or have we all been moved into one of those parallel dimensions were EFC are actually competent?
Jeff Armstrong
36 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:13:02
We should steer well clear of Rooney, he is finished – a busted flush. Why after two absolutely terrible seasons would he suddenly come good for us?

He's older slower, and shitter than he ever was... it's an ego trip for him and Kenwright, but why??

He's never gonna be anywhere near his best years. The best we can hope for is dickhead Bill's dream of him coming off the bench and scoring the winner against the Red Shite... then what??

It's not enough and it probably won't happen, so why??? What's the point? He's way way past his best, whatever he might think; he is truly finished... We don't need him.

Steven Telford
37 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:13:23
Ben, obviously, I am not advocating an actual lynching, I'm speaking metaphorically.
David Pearl
38 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:15:17
Hmm Mahrez and Giroud with Sandro and Rooney? I don't care where Rom goes.
Paul Birmingham
39 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:15:28
Positive news and we move on. Ego, lack of belief, but hope for all Evertonians. Hopefully we will become a better team.

Rom didn't want to be here unless on his terms and has consistently been a jackal in terms of PR and respect for the club. He is done and we move on.

Farewell Rom, not forgotten but never a genuine Goodison hero, as that is a two way journey and should be a life lesson.

Ramirez plus another, there's genuine hope this season.


Neil Farrell
40 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:16:18
Sell Barkley for £25M to Spurs... buy CR7 or that guy the Mancs were looking at for £100mill... then watch the entire Premier League shit themselves!!!
Jack Convery
41 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:17:47
Please remember, folks... Neville rhymes with Devil and always will.

The two things I remember about Phil are that tackle on Ronaldo and his abject display against Wigan in that cup match.

What he's done today should not be a surprise to any blue. Like Rooney he only has one true love – money. Er... sorry – that should read 'his hometown club'.

Ben Howard
42 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:20:04
There's always the chance that he didn't realise it was fake and just retreated it and and got trolled himself?

To my mind, Phil Neville conducted himself impeccably while at Everton despite his limitations.

I hate people disrepecting our club and things that Stuart Pearce and Rodney Marsh have said recently have really pissed me off, but let's not become the instantly offended. We're meant be a good-humoured happy old lot.

I know you didn't mean an actual lynching. 😂

David Reid
43 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:23:31
Why sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before (Saturday's) breakfast" – Alice in Wonderland

Lukaku stays
Rooney takes pay cut to join boyhood club
Giroud staying with Arsenal
Sigurdsson signs for £40 million
Barkley leaves for £50 million
Robles made first choice 'keeper

,"Why sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before (Saturdays) breakfast" Alice in Wonderland
Lukaku stays
Rooney pay cut to join boyhood club
Giroud staying with Arsenal
Sigurdsson signs for £40million
Barclay leaves for £50million
Robles made first choice

,Turned on,BlueKfrog,1,23:21:42,,82.5.152.252,probation,20312,07/07/2017 23:21:42,Angelic1903,probation,, 828082,35145,toffeeweb,07/07/2017,Paul Birmingham,Paul.birmingham@bt.com,"I like the lad and he played some blinders but guffed regularly and was caught out too often, in big games.

I'd take him over Stekelenburg, but I sense this the last straw with signing Pickford, for whom, I reckon is the nailed on best keeper in the Premier League.

Best of luck, Joel, in your next club; you will always be welcome at EFC.

Neil Farrell
44 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:25:06
Our biggest concern – sorry to put a downer on a great-so-far transfer window – what will Morishi do after spending all this dosh if we don't get 4th or silverware?
Mark Andersson
45 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:28:15
Let's see what the money buys or was it all put in place before the window opened. I smell a rat and it's not Phil Neville. The board done a deal before the end of the season that's why big mouth said what he said about Everton not being a option..

This new jigsaw puzzle that Koeman is putting together better work or their will be some disgruntled ToffeeWebbers... too many happy ones on here of late – it doesn't seem right!

Mike Allen
46 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:31:14
If report is true its about time something was done about these agents, its absolutely appalling the money going out of the game to these people making a living but this is pure greed.

Clubs like Man Utd have a lot to answer for; if Chelsea are making a stand on the agent's cut, well, total respect!

Chris Gould
47 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:31:26
I really don't think we're going to see a bidding war. One club only need match the other's bid (which Chelsea allegedly have) and then it's down to Lukaku.

Of course, we could reject both bids, but ultimately Lukaku will decide where he goes. It won't matter if Chelsea bid more if Rom has his mind made up on Man Utd. I don't think it's in anyone's interest for this to drag on and fully expect him to be gone early next week.

£75 million plus add-ons, plus Rooney seems fair to me.

Danny Broderick
48 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:32:00
Bit of an over reaction, I think, Steven. He has since taken the tweet down, he obviously fell for it from someone else. Didn't he refer to us as a great club also when he posted it?

Go and have a beer mate!

Soren Moyer
49 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:32:25
Phil Neville is a fucking disgrace. Never liked him, and rightly so!
James Flynn
50 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:33:55
Well, we can say Mourinho isn't staying at Man Utd because he never stays.

But Conte, another gypsy, raising a fuss because he didn't get what he wants at Chelsea, could see him get bounced. Fine by me.

John Pierce
51 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:39:06
Neil. Simple answer. Sack Koeman, because that's the standard now.
Brian Williams
52 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:47:23
If Chelsea have indeed matched Man Utd's bid, then nothing's changed in the grand scheme of things.

Just means there are two bids that are "not accepted" surely.

Steven Jones
53 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:48:38
Get the profit – move for new targets...

And guess what! Mr Walsh has bags loads of them!!

SX

John Pierce
54 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:49:26
The Rooney deal seems to be independent of any other transfers.

Given a cordial transfer relationship in the past with Man Utd you'd think Everton will be far more likely to sell to them.

Another day with Everton dominating the sports pages, this is what a good operator does.

With Jim White tweeting accurate and timely tweets, Alan Myers closely connected himself often backing it up, the non-Evertonians are getting a big dose of Toffee news.

I complained strongly about a poor inwardly looking shirt launch and a less than inspiring pre-season and stand by that.

But the last two weeks have done what the shirt launch and pre-season haven't; focussed the football world on Everton.

Fair doos to the strategy and professional way we have gone about the business.

Targets that are here and now, improvements to the first XI. Picking up decent talent to either make it into the first team or regularly generate profit player trading profit to the lower Premier League or Championship sides.

Pressure on Koeman to deliver.

Gareth Stephens
55 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:50:34
#30 His agent won't let him sign for Chelsea if he, the agent, is going to get less of a fee. Don't forget, this is the same agent who supposedly made between £30m-£40m from the Pogba deal.

Also the same agent who said that he would never have let him join Everton in the first place. Given the sums of money involved, I think Raiola is the one calling the shots, in spite of what lazy arse thinks.

Kieran Kinsella
56 Posted 07/07/2017 at 23:59:44
Hope it's Chelsea purely cause the agent gets less dosh.

On Phil Neville? All the outrage makes us seem small time. He was a Man Utd fan and player. He came here and did his best for us despite often being played out of position. He never dissed us and was just having a joke.

Many players play at several clubs but realistically have a greater affinity for one. Kanchelskis was here briefly but acts like he is Mr Toffee now. Fair enough, but do we say "what about Man Utd and Fiorentina you dirty rat?"

Howard Kendall put it nicely when he said Man City was a love affair, Everton was a marriage. I never saw that as a bash on City but rather an honest assessment of his feelings. Get over it, Neville bashers.

Will Mabon
57 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:04:59
So, that Neville own goal... was it accidental?
Mick Howard
58 Posted 07/07/2017 at 00:05:10
If you look at the Lukaku and Stones money we must be in credit. Fingers crossed our replacements are as good as Rom lot of goals to replace when he goes no matter how much stick he gets on here.
James Lauwervine
59 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:06:42
Surely he'll go to Chelsea because a) he supports them and b) Moroncock sold him.
Eugene Ruane
60 Posted 07/07/2017 at 00:08:39
'Match'

MATCH!?

Sorry, there's no matching.

Man United say '£75 million', next thing out of Chelsea's grid must be '£80 million!'

A response (to man Utd offering £75m) of "Yeah, same goes for us" is just annoying.

Matching is just fucking time-wasting.

Barry Jones
61 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:09:29
God, I'm loving all of this. But let's get this deal done and move on.
Brian Williams
62 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:11:14
Eugene. Just wait 'til tomorrow when Bournemouth, Stoke, Leicester and a few others get in touch with "Yeh we'll match that too." Now wouldn't that be funny?

A "No, I'm Spartacus" situation!

Jay Harris
63 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:15:12
I just have a question: If no fee had been agreed, why were the clubs allowed to talk to the player, even if it was through his lovebuddy and his agent? Is this the new way of bypassing the poaching rules?

I think this warrants an investigation by the FA and the fact that the player is in breach of contract by not showing up for the club he is contracted to.

My God, doesn't modern football stink of corruption and bling-bling people?

I can't wait to see the back of this circus.

James Lauwervine
64 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:20:47
Good one, Brian (#62). Though Eugene's point about matching a bid is significant. Has that ever been done publicly like this before for a player?

Another Everton first... :) Then again, the first public bidding war for a player in the media could be another!

Barry Jones
65 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:21:03
Not showing for training was so unprofessional, but so, so predictable with this egotistical lump. A one-on-one spinning class with Pauline Pogba does not constitute pre-season training.

For those who believe that he will improve with age, one of his main faults is laziness and lack of movement. How will this improve with age?

A few media quotes to confirm what my own eyes and brain record:

"His passing accuracy is far lower than the likes of Ibrahimovic, Aguero and Harry Kane. Indeed, no out-and-out striker in the Premier League lost possession more times than Lukaku last season."

"Lukaku's movement has also been criticised. It is a curious issue because he is a player with the pace to match the power but the statistics are startling. In the 2015-16 campaign, he ranked dead last of the 503 outfield players in the Premier League for distance covered per 90 minutes. He fared little better last term".

"Ibrahimovic's own mobility is not his greatest asset at the age of 35 but it is telling that even he covered more ground and made more high-intensity sprints than Lukaku".

Don Alexander
66 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:28:33
You sum it up, Jay Harris. Fans being butt-fucked over a barrel whilst arrogant grasping lazy bastards become mega-millionaires on the back of doing the square root of diddly-squat.

Is everyone in football a Tory?

Will Mabon
67 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:29:43
I think it's time for ToffeeWeb to publicly match the offer. Couldn't make it any more of a circus.

One day soon enough, someone like Facefuck or Twatter will step into one of these situations and join the bidding, simply for the kudos and online activity.

Chad Schofield
68 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:34:46
So Man Utd it is then. Chelsea offer the same, but with terms... Conte must be livid.
Will Mabon
69 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:35:01
"Is everyone in football a Tory?"

A long outdated and impotent concept, Don, where it matters. All facilitating the globalist ratchet whatever the colours.

Josh Barber
70 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:46:41
Barry Jones (#65), I agree completely with your assessment of Rom.

You could tell in Everton's games that when passes were lobbed to Rom as the target man he always tried that half-assed header pass forwards that no one could get on the end of (usually because the accuracy was poor) when he should have been bringing it down and waiting on teammates to catch up.

I don't see Rom improving in this area unless he gets miraculous coaching at his new club. However, having watched Man Utd play last year, they absolutely need someone who can simply score goals from nothing – which we all know Rom can do.

I think Chelsea did shrewd business in matching Man Utd's offer just because they suspect Rom would rather play there, but I don't think it will pay off and they'll end up missing out.

Since I have less animosity/hatred towards Lukaku maybe than longtime Toffees I'll miss having Lukaku simply for his finishing abilities. I'm not convinced that Sandro, Rooney, and our youth players can fill Rom's shoes. I hope Everton still plan on making a move for Dembele or another potential starter to share time with Sandro.

Karl Masters
71 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:47:20
Despite all those goals, you just have to conclude this fella is an utter dick.

Not showing up for pre-season training to force the issue.

The "Everton is not an option'" quote when still having over 2 years to go on his contract.

The Chelsea logo pitch 5 a side incident a few weeks back. Just whose chain was he pulling then? Ours? Chelsea's? Both?

The subsequent 5-a-side instagram post mocking everybody as this pitch had no logos, ''Are you all happy now?''

The bromance with Pogba. Hangin' in LA when he should be back at the Club paying his wages.

We might miss his goals, but I won't miss Romelu the person and this self obsessed circus he takes with him everywhere.

As recent stats have shown that he's not much of a team player, we might well benefit from a playing style that has more mobility. He's the heaviest player in the league too. I doubt he will last much beyond 30, especially if he picks up an injury or two. We may well have had his best years already.

Take the money and run. This could well be a blessing.

Liam Reilly
72 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:48:57
Barry (#65),

I've very little affinity for Lukaku; I don't like him and have little respect for him but I don't think he's being bought for his passing, possession or movement.

He's got one thing in his armory: goals; but I fear teams must play to his strengths to get there and albeit he will score at Chelsea or Man Utd, I don't think he'll be as successful.

Andrew Keatley
73 Posted 08/07/2017 at 00:59:37
Not sure how the "matched" bids system works, but it's possible that, if we have accepted the £75 million offer from Man Utd then Chelsea can match the bid, hoping that it will leave the player to decide on his preferred destination.

This transfer has been in the offing for months, and it is possible that all of our transfer business thus far has been conducted safe in the knowledge that a £75+ million transfer for Lukaku was more than just on the cards, it was in the works.

I don't know how transfer fees break down, but it's also possible that the Chelsea bid – while matching the Man Utd one in total fee – is more attractive to Everton because it a) all the money up front (if the United fee isn't) or b) sees Everton banking more of the fee (if agent's fees are included in the total fee, and Chelsea are offering Raiola less).

As for the Phil Neville bashing, I think Steven Telford and others are being incredibly touchy. Maybe give him the benefit of the doubt? The outrage is very unbecoming.

David Israel
74 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:01:43
I don't understand this talk of agent's fees. Football agents can only represent one of the parties at any given negotiation. Mino Raiola should get his money only from Lukaku, and nothing from Man Utd, Chelsea or Accrington Stanley (who have jumped into the race at the last minute, according to reliable sources). T

hat is called a conflict of interest and Premier League rules do not allow it.

David Israel
75 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:10:18
Stephen @ 37, He's already been metaphorically lynched on this thread! :-)
Dennis Ng
76 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:12:51
They can only "match" if we accepted the first £75m bid. Didn't we say we've not accepted a bid yet? From that perspective, the "match" can only mean more benefit for us.

All I really care about is who we get after this one. I hope we make a inquiry for Morata at least. Level headed guy with a stellar 2 years at Juve.

Charlie Lloyd
77 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:16:03
If either club pull this off, I'm not sure when they are going to visit Goodison but it'll be a cauldron.

Has the self obsessed one got the mentality to survive what is possibly coming his way.

Better still the match is rearranged to a night fixture.

Dan Davies
78 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:18:54
I'm assuming Chelsea are saying to Lukaku they will match anything Man Utd offer and putting the ball in his court?
Josh Barber
79 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:22:20
Here's a thought that I only just remembered. If Lukaku accepts the Man Utd offer – what does that mean about his supposed desire to play in the Champions League so much??

Man Utd certainly isn't there this season and there is no guarantee that they will be there next year – any more than Everton at this point.

Perhaps Chelsea's bid hinged on this entirely. If Lukaku trukly wanted to leave just for a Champions League team, he would definitely choose Chelsea.

David Ellis
80 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:22:41
David Israel (#74),

There is an inherent conflict of interest in the role of the agent even if they are just paid by their own client. Because they are "advising" their client on career moves when the agent gets paid depending on the move. They are incentivised to promote transfers of their clients. Why anyone would listen to such an adviser I do not know.

Meanwhile, the Premier League rule that you cannot talk to a player without permission of his current club seems ludicrous to me and I can see why it is routinely ignored, or ignored by simply talking to the player's agent. In any other field of business, if you want to hire someone you talk to them in private. The last thing you do is alert their current employer!

David Barks
81 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:24:29
Josh,

Man Utd are in fact in the Champions League this coming season and will fully expect to be there going forward.

Mike Gaynes
82 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:24:44
Karl (#71), come off it, mate.

The quote was (very quietly): "That's not really an option, I think."

He didn't stay in LA to force any issue... he doesn't have to. He stayed in LA because what he thought was his about-to-be new team opens preseason there on Sunday. Probably figured the deal would be done by then.

And the five-a-side thing is just bullshit... he was playing at a complex of 5-a-side pitches in LA (I've been there) and that particular one just happens to be sponsored by Adidas, which also sponsors Chelsea and put up the stickers years ago. When he played on the next-over (unsponsored) pitch two days later, I think he had every right to troll the fake controversy.

Want to feel outraged/disrespected/happy he's gone? Be my guest. But geez, man, quit shoveling already.

Mike Gaynes
83 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:26:27
Josh, Man Utd won the Europa League title and earned a spot in the Champions League.
Josh Barber
84 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:29:12
Ah, I somehow forgot and could only remember their poor placement in the table. Can't wait for the new season!
Ron Marr
85 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:32:29
What's the feeling in Liverpool? The Kopites must be sick Rom is going to Man Utd. They call the Blues fans Bitter, but in truth there is nobody more Bitter than Kopites when talking about United. "We've won 5 Champions League's but everybody loves United" . bwah bwah bwah
John Pierce
86 Posted 08/07/2017 at 01:36:19
If Chelsea are happy to match the deal but not the agent's fees then bully for them.

They are surely trying it on here. If Rom's reputed love for Chelsea is so strong, blah, unfinished business, blah, then he will let Raiola starve and choose the Pensioners.

Gives credence to the chat Rom wanted Chelsea, Riaola wanted United. Perhaps we now know why...

Chris Keher
87 Posted 08/07/2017 at 02:14:45
Great post John Mckay (#10).

Good luck to him. He signed for us, scored a shed load of goals and made us a massive profit.

I think he has been honest about what he wants from the day he signed. He wants to be the best and we are getting better quickly but we are miles off being the best.

I also think that, at the money they are talking, whoever signs him is getting a bargain. With the stupid money going round at the moment I'm sure he will turn out to be good business.

For the number of goals he scored, we actually didn't create that many chances for him. In a team that creates chances, he will score a silly amount of goals.

Alex Fox
88 Posted 08/07/2017 at 02:15:26
Talk about lynching Phil Neville for a tweet – metaphorical or not – is exactly why so many people think football fans are bellends. Have some perspective. He's a born and bred Manc and a United youth product – of course they're his team.

Did he wear the Blue shirt with pride when he was here? Yes. Did he give every ounce of his energy to our cause? Yes. Did he put his foot in against United? Yes – ask Ronaldo. As long as you do that, you deserve respect.

Which is possibly more than you can say for Lukaku, and exactly why he is going to get a more mixed reception next time he visits Goodison whichever shirt he's playing in.

Personally, I think he stayed one year longer than I ever expected him to, was our best goalscorer in a generation, and will leave for a fee not far shy of the world record. No complaints from me.

Phil Jeffries
89 Posted 08/07/2017 at 03:42:59
Moshiri has played an absolute blinder. £90m plus Rooney is great business. I'd have taken £80m on it's own for Rom. Man Utd have had their pants pulled down on this one! Carry on spending...
Eddie Fazal
90 Posted 08/07/2017 at 06:32:32
Well said, Alex Fox (#88),

Phil Neville gave his all for us when he was here, and even his Instagram said "left one great club and joined another" – give him a break!!!

He does have respect for Everton, certainly more than Lukaku.

If I was Moshiri, I'd have him back from USA and training with the reserve squad until Everton are happy that the best deal is done for our club, not the one that suits him.

If he doesn't like it, don't sell him until next year!

Ian Linn
91 Posted 08/07/2017 at 06:45:53
Good times! Put Lukaku on eBay, no reserve, PayPal only...
Denis Richardson
92 Posted 08/07/2017 at 06:48:16
So his agent makes £25m on the Pogba deal last year and this year is set to make £10m from the Lukaku deal – not paying a penny in taxes as he lives in Monaco.

£35m in 12 months for doing what exactly?

Surely something needs to be done, this is cash going out of the game that could be funding grassroots footy somewhere in the UK. Unbelievable.

Paul Setter
93 Posted 08/07/2017 at 06:54:44
Yawn... is this circus still in town? This saga has been boring me for 2 years since his complete no show in the FA Cup semi-final. I was hoping this would have been resolved by now.
John G Davies
94 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:01:25
I would have a decent sized bet that we score more league goals next season than we did this.
Dermot Byrne
95 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:01:33
Absolutely agree, Paul Setter. Thinking of setting up a Watch Paint Dry as an alternative!
Brian Porter
96 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:06:54
I'm now sick of the whole Lukaku circus, which is what this has turned into.

His latest example of disrespect to his employers, us, has shown yet again what an immature and self obsessed piece of crap he really is.

If he had a shred of honour and decency in him, he would have returned, as it seems Koeman expected, for pre-season training and started getting himself fit for the coming season whoever he ends up playing for. No wonder the stats prove him to be the least mobile striker in the business.

Also, by failing to return to Everton prior to any transfer taking place, he is effectively sticking two fingers up at his team mates at Everton. If he signs for Utd as expected while holidaying in the USA, It's obvious there will be no handshakes all round or goodbyes to those he's shared a dressing room for over three years.

What a slap in the face for the men who have provided him with the ammunition on which to build his reputation. I hope Ross Barkley sees what a dickhead his big pal really is and that he can see exactly what Lukaku really thinks of him and his team mates, i.e. not much it would appear.

Also totally agree with Jay Harris #63. If Everton did not give Man Utd or anyone else permission to speak to Lukaku, then it really is time the Premier League stepped in to sort out obvious cases of poaching or tapping up of players. Talking to the player's agent should be classed as having the same result as speaking to the player and shouldn't provide a get out route for the club doing the illegal tapping up, in this case Man Utd. If nothing is done to prevent such activity it makes a further mockery of their own rules and regulations.

I hope this sorry, sordid transfer is quickly concluded and that Lukaku enjoys playing for a manager who will ruthlessly drop him when it appears he can't actually keep up with the pace of some of the high intensity games he's going to be called on to perform in. The stats don't lie in this case.

If he's the least mobile striker in the league, covering the least ground of any player in his position, I can see him being quickly found out when the going gets tough. The pressure to succeed at Man Utd will be like nothing he's experienced before. Only time will tell if he is man enough to handle it.

With his over-inflated ego and belief that he's already the best ("What can I learn from Harry Kane?"), I honestly can see his bubble being burst a lot sooner than some might believe. If it does, I for one won't be shedding a single tear for the Belgian Blunderbuss.

Go away, Lukaku the Egoman, and take your attitude and your dismissive disrespect with you. We'll see you when we pass you on our way up the league.

Michael Burke
97 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:10:27
I keep reading that a 'bidding war' has started. As a simple man, can someone please explain how this is a bidding war if both offers of £75m have been accepted?
James Power
98 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:21:44
Rom could learn something from these guys. Great article and a great team (still I hope they can get smashed this morning). Could you imagine what a Premier League team would say if they were asked to clean the changing rooms?!

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40526177

Terry Farrell
99 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:22:08
Pip also did one of the best crunching tackles seen at GP on Ashley Cole that directly led to Stracqualursi's goal against Chelsea. He always gave his all and played out of position.

Like many, Rom has annoyed me with his quotes but, in a more dynamic team, his pass stats etc will go up so those on here saying he is shit and a waste of money are deluded.

He is a goal machine who rarely misses a match through injury and we will miss that.

Ian Hollingworth
100 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:32:12
Christ, another thread on that lazy lump.

I want to hear more on whose coming to the club.

David Hayes
101 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:35:04
I cannot understand that losing a 25-goal striker, to a more successful and richer rival, and possibly gaining yet another of their finished rejects is a step forward. Same small-time act as always.

Rooney, if he comes, is a huge step backwards. Statement of intent, Man Utd rejects, relegated keeper, bottom-half centre-back. Impressive, and all done at top speed...

Time will tell, but I fear massive disappointment.

Brent Stephens
102 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:41:50
Both offers haven't been accepted have they? Chelsea's bid rejected as it doesn't match the potential Man Utd deal?
Jon Saward
103 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:43:07
I've been reading the posts about alleged tapping up and had to comment for the first time ever on this site after years of reading.

Don't forget that Everton have known we're going to sell Rom for at least a year – so there was no point in denying Man Utd the right to talk to him (Raiola) once the bid came in. It was obvious that Man Utd would come back with a bid that we'd accept in the end so imagine if we went through this current circus and then still had to wait a week for them to agree how much he was going to get paid and how much Raiola was going to suck out of the deal.

Where Liverpool went wrong was making an unwelcome offer and assuming that gave them the right to talk to Van Dijk anyway. Trying to act like a big club but being shown up for what they really are.

Also – I agree with the comments that we should give Neville a bit of a break and that Rooney will be a real bonus for the dressing room – if not the pitch – for 40 matches this season.

Brent Stephens
104 Posted 08/07/2017 at 07:45:36
Lukaku being in LA expedites the deal (what do we always call for? "Get the deals done sooner rather than later"!). All fine with me.

In fact, rather than him dissing Everton, I suspect Everton are pleased with him being over there for this reason. Smart. Typical Everton this.

Mike Green
105 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:05:00
Steven Telford – I wouldn't put it in as strong terms as you have but Neville's either daft, naive or a complete cock for sticking that up before the deals done. Either way you're right – he's bang out of order.
John Codling
106 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:05:57
Geoff (#36) Thank fuck you don't have anything to do with the club. Rooney on a free & the Mancs subsidising his wages, this guy may not be as fast as he used to be but he still has more awareness and skill than anyone at the club.

I was against taking him back if it meant we were paying out money just to reduce the Manc debt. That's not the case; now we are getting a still very good player for free without fucking our wage structure. Any other team in the Premier League would cut their balls off for that deal.

I would think you are one of the still bitter Wayne haters because the lad wanted to better himself and, looking at his medal collection, I would say he achieved it.

Welcome Home, Wayne.

Charlie Lloyd
107 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:09:36
BBC website just announced that fee agreed with Man Utd. Player to have medical.

Is it right this time?

Chris Leyland
108 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:09:49
BBC reporting that he is having medical with Man Utd after we accept their offer of an initial £75m.
Jermaine Jennings
109 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:14:14
The sooner he goes, the better. I hope the add-ons are not based on trophies as we won't get anymore than £75 million. Hopefully it's based on appearances.
Tony Hill
110 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:14:47
He's gone now, apparently, says the Man Utd site. Good.
Mike Kennedy
111 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:15:14
I just want him gone so we can move on.
James Welford
112 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:16:36
Rom and Paul,
Sitting in a tree,
K.i.s.s.i.n.g.
Sue Brown
113 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:17:51
Brian (#96) well said!

Bottom line – whatever the knobhead wants, Everton hold the strings and I just hope they hold out to screw everyone for the best possible price tag.

Surely, if he's broken his contract with us by staying in LA, we should be stopping his wages while this gets sorted?

Shane Corcoran
114 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:21:41
Get him out to fuck quick. No problem whatsoever with him wanting to move on. He's never kissed the badge or told us how he bleeds blue or any of that shite.

However, he was supposed to be back at training and he decided to go and play with his Man Utd buddy in the USA. Did you ever hear such shite?

And while I'm at it, is Barkley back at training or where does he go to play on his holidays?

Rooney should be signed on a pay as you play contract. Let's pre-empt his bleeding heart story by testing it before he arrives.

I feel a bit better now.

Paul Ellam
115 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:25:27
Great business Everton! Got to be honest, I don't really want to lose him but his mind was made up so off he goes.

I think I will miss his goals more than the person to be honest. It's not like he's blue blooded like Baines!

Now we need to bring in Rooney, Sigurdsson and anybody else that improves us.

Eric Myles
116 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:26:48
Where's his transfer request, we're surely not going to be paying him a loyalty bonus???????
James Watts
117 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:29:42
Fabulous news.

Now fuck off out of our great club and take the Lukaku circus with you. I will look forward to seeing you fall flat on your over-priced arse in the coming months whilst enjoying all the tweets from Man Utd fans on how useless you are, what a lazy twat you are, how you can't control a ball, and what a waste of money you were.

Let's get Sigurdsson and Rooney in, then a class striker, please, and I'd be very very happy with this window.

Colin Glassar
118 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:31:24
I'm glad this particular circus is coming to an end.

As much as I admire Lukaku as a player, I'm sick and tired of this 21st century, social media driven, instagramed to death, bling laden, hip-hop inspired Bromance between him and his 'best mate', Pogba.

Brian Foley
119 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:35:18
Alex (#88) – sanity at last, thank god, Sir. Watching the Lions now.
Gareth Stephens
120 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:37:07
#101 His performance performance in last year's FA Cup semi-final typifies him as a player as far as I'm concerned. Through on goal twice with only De Gea to beat and score none – when it counts. Also missed a penalty. Score 2 of those 3 chances and we'd have beaten them 3-2.

He keeps on moaning about wanting to win trophies. He is unlikely to have a better chance than then and yet fluffed it. Goalscoring is his primary responsibility and he didn't.

Same thing goes for the league. Score a couple more times when it counts and against the top six and you take points off them as well. Win both games against Liverpool and they'd be on 70 pts, we'd be on 67 pts.

Bottom line for me is that he doesn't score when it counts.

Chris Davies
121 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:38:01
If he did not leave this season, we would have same saga next year and him sulking. Take the money and move on.
Mike Berry
122 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:40:13
Great news, we move on, and to sign other players and attacking replacements is what really excites me.
Chris James
123 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:43:32
£90M including add-ons seems about right, so let's get this and the Rooney deal done and move on to our targets in attacking midfield (Siggy) and up top (Giroud, Dembele?).

Then we'll be sorted in the transfer market bar any last minute gems and of course the ongoing Barkley decision dithering.

David Hallwood
124 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:44:49
Shane (#114), regarding Rooney's departure, this is well worth watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlE_UpLA3NE.

Onto Lukaku, has there ever been a player who has divided Evertonians? scores goals for fun, and yet there are still huge question marks. For me it was ironically the Man Utd game at Old Trafford. We were under the cosh as we were defending a 1 goal lead, every ball up to Lukaku came right back, which led to the Williams/Lukaku spat, when Williams rightly complained about his total lack of holdup play.

BTW,I'm listening to Sky Sports News and according to them, it was his agent who pushed him toward Man Utd. because amongst other things, the Mancs were prepared to give the agent more money! If I was a multi-billionaire, I wouldn't put a penny piece into football; the thought of giving money to those leeches would turn my stomach.

John Graham
125 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:45:52
Good to get a big fee for him, such a frustrating player. Has so much power and pace when in the mood but can be a very lazy player too when not in the mood.

Now he's going we can get on with rebuilding our team and squad.

Who we buying today then?

COYB

Jim Knightley
126 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:50:11
It is a gigantic fee – higher than it should be. We have done very well but we will miss our best goal scorer in the Premier League era, even if he has acted like a prick (consistently).

But we are on the rise. I would like to see the money used in part on someone special. Everyone we've brought so far has been good but not next level. I'd like us to bring in someone with that little bit extra.

Des Farren
127 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:56:38
Erm... Thank you, Roberto...
Colin Glassar
128 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:56:47
£75m up front, £15m in add-ons (to be paid quickly), plus Rooney for free (£10m value). I think this is a great deal for all concerned.
Nigel Munford
129 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:57:21
Just read Rom's been arrested in LA for disturbing the peace.
Adam Scott
130 Posted 08/07/2017 at 08:59:56
I agree with Colin (#118),

Top player though I will not join the chorus of condemnation on his character. I don't know him.

I hope he makes a statement a la Cleverley thanking the club. Everton deserve that. He is a professional who has given his all. Not a Baines etc, no. I have thought some of his media statements misjudged, but overall he has my respect.

Good luck, Romelu. Most importantly, I feel we are in a position to progress now without him.

Joe Foster
131 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:00:21
I can't see Man Utd building the team around him like we tried and Mourinho is not too shy in calling out his players in public if they do not perform.
Nigel Munford
132 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:02:33
Not sure how reliable a source this is though.

Link

Andrew Ellams
133 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:03:50
As long as he knows he's probably taking the smallest forward step he possibly could right now. Man Utd is a bad move for him but hey we get the same amount of cash either way.
Zahir Jaffer
135 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:05:16
Jesus, I hope he does a Mikel.
Kevin Rowlands
136 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:06:45
Hallelujah!
Lewis Barclay
137 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:10:03
Genuinely relieved Rom has gone.

Talking to a former south London scout this morning who told me to keep an eye on Lookman – he said £10m for him is well justified. I kind of forgot we'd bought him!

Chris Williams
138 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:13:28
Hopefully this is done with now.

Can we have a thread about Barkley achieving his potential now please ? Not been one for ages!

John Hammond
139 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:17:11
Genuinely all the best to him. My fear is that Mourinho likes his players to be hard working and that's something he's not. Also we know how totally ineffective he is when long ball tactics are used.

Let's splash out on the best forward we can get our hands on now, add a couple more other players and move on!

Steve Ferns
140 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:17:23
#74

Riola pocketed £46m from the Pogba deal. And he did act for Juventus and for Pogba. Which is why the deal is being investigated by FIFA.

He also acted in two more signings United made last summer and cleared over £50m in fees from them alone.

Is it any wonder Rom went there? Next summer he'll be sending some other big name their way for pocketing another fortune.

The guy is the worst kind. Read up on him. He wasn't even a certified agent. There's a lot of murky stuff about him.

Derek Thomas
141 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:19:03
Lukakwho?...I look forward to seeing the fume at – where ever, when he turns in one of his Big Vic games. Though tbf, that might be a bit harsh on Vic.
Simon Bradley
142 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:25:24
See ya! Lukaku who? Everton are still Everton, we are infinitely bigger than you will ever be, son.

Now, Rooney comes in, and we use the rest of the cash on Demberle, Sigurdsson and Virgil Van Dijk, then sit back and watch the rest of the transfer window, and in particular our friends across the park, squirm.

Mike Kehoe
143 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:26:31
We have got to be better than a chain-smoking Manc reject; from this rare position of financial power and apparent business acumen we should be setting our sights higher.

I hope all this talk of Giroud is groundless and we go for Aguero and Dolberg as we have endured decades of decline and such opportunities for massive progress have not been available.

Denis Richardson
144 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:31:18
Unless I'm mistaken we've shelled out £89m in transfer fees to sign Keane, Klaassen, Sandro and Pickford.

And we're getting £90m for Lukaku. Including the add-ons.

That's one hell of a summer of dealing!

Mike T Jones
145 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:34:15
Denis (#144). You beat me to it!

So let's go out and spend some more!

Steve Brown
146 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:34:38
Brilliant piece of business for Everton – I always liked him as a player but £90m plus Rooney is a fantastic deal. I don't even care what his slimy agent will get.

Onwards and upwards.

Iain Thomson
147 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:34:40
So that's Man Utd got the most over-priced midfielder and striker in the world. Amazing piece of business.

Glad he's away... his goals can be replaced by the new frontline. I'm genuinely excited about who might yet come in.

Van Dijk and a big-money striker..

Chris Williams
148 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:36:37
And we haven't finished yet Denis!

Truly exciting for all Evertonians, and maybe a sign of what is to come.

Simon Bradley
149 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:41:35
Now we spend the Lukaku money. All those foolish reporters and experts and errr... kopites that have been saying we have already been spending it can just sit back and eat humble pie, as we spend another $100 million.

If we get Van Dijk, it will be worth what we spend on him just to watch the kopite meltdown.

Jeremy Jansen
150 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:45:54
Nigel (#132) TMZ is a well known but not necessarily well respected "celebrity news" outlet here in the US. Looks legit though.
David Milner
151 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:48:59
Very good business & Rooney as well. Let's see if his 'Always a blue ' still stands up. I think Rooney still has 2 more good years in him & there is no doubting his ability.

I would like to see Anthony Martial coming as well though as Man Utd don't seem to want him. Would fill in the problem left sided attacking berth & is able to play as a lone striker as well.

Anto Byrne
152 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:50:06
Wondering if Barkley will be sold? Reckon he would work well with Rooney.
Denis Richardson
153 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:56:29
Would have liked to see us sign Ihneacheo. Young, bags of pace and knows where the goal is. Well worth the £25m Man City are looking for.

If we can sign a creative mid and another striker (not Rooney), I think we'd have a hell of a team. Will have also cleared out a lot of the dross left from the Moyes and Martinez years.

Although the likes of Niasse, Besic and McCarthy are still on the books.

Simon Bradley
154 Posted 08/07/2017 at 09:59:54
How ridiculous is football now? Folks, we have just made a £62 million quid profit – on one player! My god.

We bought Inchy for £750,000 and he was way better than Lukaku could ever dream to be.

Sam Hoare
155 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:09:52
Agree, Denis (#153). I'm surprised we're not in for Iheanacho. He looks a better bet than Dembele to me. He's bigger too and could play the central striker role.
Lennart Hylën
156 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:12:36
Perhaps some will not agree but I am glad that Lukaku as a person has gone, not his goals. He was not good for the club. Almost all the time he has publicly stated that he wants to leave. That is not good for the stability or the team spirit.

We have been too dependent on one person's goals. Hopefully a new team spirit will rule and a dawn of a new era on the pitch is on. COYB
Brian Wilkinson
157 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:14:45
Great bit of business, buy wisely now and we could be on the step up to the next level.

Lukaku has struggled to score against the top sides, baring in mind the tough start we have, we could actually pick up points in those opening games, so all in all looks an interesting start to the season.

Say what you like about Rooney, for once we will have a player who will not roll over and have his belly tickled by our neighbours across the park.

Mike Doyle
158 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:19:05
Denis (#144). Other transfer revenue generated from the sale of Cleverley & Deulofeu, plus a few quid from McGeady & probably Joel to come.

I wonder what will happen with Niasse – I've not spotted him in any of the "back to training" pics published this week – maybe he's been air-brushed out?

Tony McNulty
159 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:19:47
Rumours coming through that someone in Beverly Hills has been charged with defrauding Manchester United.
Nigel Munford
160 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:22:40
That would be nearer the truth, Tony, I reckon.
Nigel Munford
161 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:23:38
Thanks Jeremy, not to clued up on these news sites and with so much fake news about it's difficult to tell what's true or not these days.
Stewart Lowe
162 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:24:34
I was always keen to let Lukaku go so I'm not devastated in any way.

I would have liked to have seen Giroud replace him but he has already said he wants to stay at Arsenal, and they are not going to allow Giroud and Sanchez go and only bring in Lacazette, as that wouldn't add up.

For me, I would have loved to have seen Iheanacho & Dembele come in for Lukaku, with Rooney and / or Sandro sat just behind them. But gutted Leicester are getting Iheanacho as he is going to be world class in 2-3 years. 😕

Ken Buckley
163 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:26:46
Rom was one of those players that infuriated me. He seemed to have all the necessary attributes to be a beast to defences yet far to often came out second best when push came to shove.

He scored lots of goals of all types yet vital goals always seemed to elude him. I am not a stats person but I wonder if any ToffeeWeber has any to show this trait.

I wonder how we would have viewed his time here had he managed to bag a few vital winners non more so than the winner at Anfield as well as spurning those chances in the semi.

Maybe its not how many you score but rather the quality and importance of goals that win matches. Anyway, Rom or no Rom, we are on the up.

UP THE BLUES

David Hallwood
164 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:27:16
Jeremy (#150) – it's just been put on the Independent's website.

I must admit most TWebbers are being quite mature about the whole thing; Played for us for 3 seasons, paid a heap of money, and got a heap more when we sold him, let's hope he makes a classy exit, doesn't diss the club, and he gets a decent reception when he comes to the Old Lady.

Let's hope that we're above them in the table, and Keane puts him in his back pocket all game.

Peter Barry
165 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:31:46
Looks like Ludicrous Lukaku has kicked off his Man Utd career in a typical fashion, pissing it up with Pogba until the cops have to be called. Be warned, Mourinho.
Dermot Byrne
166 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:34:47
Welcome to Old Trafford. The next stop is Shanghai arriving in 18 months. All change, All change.
Seamus McCrudden
167 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:36:07
David, he has been making the most classless exit since he got here. Every international break, if it wasn't him it was his dad or his agent mouthing off and showing total disrespect to the club as a whole.

Glad to see the back of him as I thought he was a complete over-rated tool.

George Stuart
168 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:39:50
But I thought he wanted to win trophies? Well, real ones anyway – not consolation prizes.
Stewart Lowe
169 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:43:36
Exactly...

I won't miss him using us as a stepping stone.
I won't miss his loud mouthed arrogant agent who seems to think he is bigger than the players he represents.
I won't miss him generally disrespecting our club.
I won't miss the long balls to him that bounce off his shins.
I will miss his strength and goals.

Next season, it can be all about players that are happy to wear the badge.

Kevin Rowlands
170 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:46:56
Look out, Champions League, the 'special' one and his supporting cast of Pogba, Lukaku and Fellaini are coming! Real, Barca and Bayern must be shitting themselves with this news.
Nigel Munford
171 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:48:23
His charge sheet reckons he's 16 stone, would that be about right do you think or has he gained a few in the off season?

Wonder how long it'll take him to get trimmed down to optimum operating weight??

Stewart Lowe
172 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:49:54
If we can bag two of:

Giroud
Iheanacho
Dembele
Mertens

I would be delighted

David Hallwood
173 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:51:24
To be fair, Seamus (#167) he wasn't exiting but bigging himself up, it'll be interesting what he tweets. (Who makes statements these days?) If it's Everton will always be in my heart blah blah, that'll do.

But the club's in a better place these days, I think it's a good piece of business. Onward and upward.

Brent Stephens
174 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:51:49
Signed for us for crazy money. Scored pretty much a goal every two games. Great business.

Sold for crazy money. Great business. He'll get a decent reception when he first plays against us at Goodison Park.

Now spend the money wisely. Koeman, Walsh and Bill have done great business so far this window.

Seamus McCrudden
175 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:58:07
Totally agree its an excellent piece of business as I don't consider him world class at all. But it will really only be a great deal if we buy well and thats not including Rooney. A couple of hungry, fast powerful strikers would be a good start.
John Davies
176 Posted 08/07/2017 at 10:59:40
Lukaku out for £90 million. Rooney in on a free. Happy, happy days.

Now let's get out and spend on Giroud and Sigurdsson. Some really good youngsters on board now too. Gray to add to that I hope.

Oh, and let Ross go too – or will he eat a huge slice of humble pie now he sees we are really on the move. COYB !!!

Sam Hoare
177 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:13:50
Do people really want us to have Giroud, Siggurdsson, Rooney and Klaassen playing together? Barring Sandro it would be comfortably the slowest attack in the league!! No point having good football brains if you don't have players with pace and movement to make runs.

I was hoping for maybe Giroud with Sandro and Iheanacho/Dembele either side.

Ian Jones
178 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:13:57
So if Romelu actually does go, what's the betting Ross signs a new contract? Or... goes off to Man Utd as part of the deal???
Colin Glassar
179 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:18:12
I love the way ex-manc players are saying he will score a lot more goals at a "bigger club" with "better players" around him. The proof is in the pudding I suppose, but Man Utd will have to improve tenfold for that to happen. They aren't much better than we are right now.
Brian Williams
180 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:18:20
Has anyone seen all the cringeworthy social media videos Rooney has been putting out about his transfer?

All the over the top handshakes and dancing round and generally acting like a real dick?

Oops, my mistake!

Colin Glassar
181 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:21:13
Where Brian? I'd like to see them.
Brian Williams
182 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:23:13
Col. Sorry it was my attempt at irony. Rooney hasn't made any.

Unlike somebody else who seems to live his life through Instagram, Twatter, or whatever these annoying things are called.

Colin Glassar
183 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:27:12
Bri, saw that Colleen liked a tweet about Rooney going back to Everton. Apparently, she's only ever 'liked' 9 tweets.
James Morgan
184 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:27:59
We asked for £100m and we got it. Great work, blues!
Ian Jones
185 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:30:12
Should admit that although I haven't been a huge fan of his, for many reasons, I have sort of enjoyed having Rom and his goals at the club.

For someone who appeared to be using us as a stepping stone, 4 years has been a long step... but long enough. Good luck to him.

Teddy Bertin
186 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:33:12
Pogba clearly had a lot to do with this.

Lukaku wanted to return to Chelsea not that long ago, plus they've won the league twice in 3 years, whereas Man Utd have been miles off, plus Mourinho sacked Lukaku off last time they worked together.

Good luck to him. Ambitious, intelligent guy, who seriously knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. At a team that have more dangerous and creative players making space, he could get bags of goals. Not certain that team will be United under Mourinho though, they really struggled to create chances last season.

Good luck to him anyway and thanks for the goals.

Brian Williams
187 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:37:24
Let's look forward now (no pun intended) and sign ourselves a striker or strikers to make us sit up and take notice. Fast, mobile, deadly... that's all I want!
Ian Pilkington
188 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:43:46
Dean, Lawton, Hickson, Vernon, Young, Royle, Latchford, Sharp, Gray, Lineker, Ferguson – 10 considerably better strikers plus an 18-year-old who, 13 years later, may still score a few more. You're just a footnote in Everton history, Lukaku.
Jim Wilson
189 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:48:12
The most poisonous Everton player I can ever remember. Good riddance. Maybe Man Utd can teach him how to control a ball, I doubt if they will improve his effort or attitude.

If he had the chance, he would have sailed away from the Titanic on his own.

Mike Allen
190 Posted 08/07/2017 at 11:57:07
Never been a fan but we have had our money's worth and a big bonus. Not many, if any, folk heroes about these days so love them while we've got them then move on.
Benny Snow
191 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:00:51
Now pump all the cash on Dembele. He has to be our Number One striker.
Teddy Bertin
192 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:02:01
Sounds like a lot of bitterness there, guys. I think he's played pretty well for us and scored a lot of goals. Performed a hell of a lot better than Big Dunc, despite not being a lovable a character on the pitch.

He was promised Champions League football if he came here to play under Martinez and we have never delivered our side of the bargain. He was promised big signings if he stayed one more year and again we didn't deliver.

Shame he's leaving now as we're finally in a position to deliver those things.

He's not an Everton fan, he's a highly rated, prolific goalscoring young footballer. If your son was in the same position playing for a club abroad, you'd tell them to go play for the team in the country that will give you the best chance of winning something and will pay you the most money.

We're making a fortune from being a stepping stone to him. No sour grapes from me. £140m for him and Stones and hopefully we'll use that money to buy a whole new starting lineup.

Happy days.

Dean Mckenna
194 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:02:23
Replacing Lukaku is not going to be easy. Who do we go for as a replacement? Giroud is garbage – we need to show more ambition than this. We need to only be signing players that improve us.

I don't want Sigurdsson either, especially at the price quoted. We've already got Barkley and Klaassen in that position. Cheeky bid for Diego Costa? Now that would be more exciting!
Phil Rouse
195 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:04:39
This transfer window is getting better and better as the days pass. I can't wait until the season starts. COYB!!!
Damian Wilde
196 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:10:13
"So if Romelu actually does go, what's the betting Ross signs a new contract or goes off to Man Utd as part of the deal..."

Ross to Utd .... You mean Sheffield Utd?

"We asked for £100m and we got it. Great work blues!"

We haven't got £100M, we have £75M. It's crap work from the blues, should have demanded way more. If they said no... 'no sale'!

Kenny Smith
197 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:11:22
Jim Wilson @189

'The most poisonous Everton player I can ever remember' – are you for real? Get a grip.

The lad's done nothing wrong at all. He wants to move because Man Utd are a bigger club and he'll become a global star. We're some way behind them – you have to agree with that!

Jim Wilson
198 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:11:49
One thing for sure, Teddy, if he had been in the Man Utd starting line up for the semi final just over a year ago Everton would have won the game no problem.

I wonder how many goals we have conceded over the last few years because of his inability to hold the ball up and lack of closing down opposing defenders. Something stats can't show!

Dean Mckenna
199 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:13:13
Yes, Teddy – I would have preferred to have kept him too but that wasn't an option in the end. Ironically we need a Lukaku type now to come in and replace Lukaku. Big young strong pacey finisher whose best years are ahead of him.
Drew O'Neall
200 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:15:25
This would make nett spend zero.. but everyone's happy?
Mark Andersson
201 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:15:53
Anything Ken Buckley says I agree with. I still stand by my earlier post that the whole thing was a set up months ago. You only have to listen to the sound bites of the new players and you just know that Boy's Pen Bill has written their script.

Watch this space for no high profile replacements for the big Sulk. Well many so called ex player experts seem to think Rom is not the man for the red devils.

Only time will tell... Oh and by the way if Rom was as a lot of you put it a intelligent guy, he would be leaving Everton with everyones blessing and some tears. Where is the intelligence in winding up your own fans. Glad to see the back of him

One more point, Koeman was a top defender and will have Rom"s cards marked on how to deal with him when we play united.

Ste Traverse
202 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:18:19
They get tomorrow's player. We get yesterday's.

Fantastic deal, Everton. Just fantastic.

We continue to be Man Utd's bitch.

The bores go on about Lukaku showing 'disrespect' to this club, then get all giddy about that twat Rooney coming back, and he spent majority of his Man Utd career showing disrespect to this club and kissing his United badge at us any chance he got.

Alasdair Mackay
203 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:34:56
I am as excited about seeing Lukaku go as I am about a new player come in.

I can't wait to have the prima-dona gone from our club. And I hope we replace him wisely!

Ray Roche
204 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:37:31
Damian, isn't it £75m with £15m in add-ons and United pay the £10m Raiola fee?
John Malone
205 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:39:35
Ste (#202), stop moaning lad!

We haven't finished our transfer business yet, have we??

You sound like a woman looking for negatives!

Lukaku was never staying he made that clear from day one, we've trebled what we paid and there is load's of time left to spend the money on replacement's!

Get a grip! We're not mixing with elite yet but going in the right direction with Koeman and Moshiri at the helm!

Tommy Murphy
206 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:41:05
Colin (#187).

"The proofs in the pudding"

Pudding is one of the more polite things I've heard him called but lucky for us.

It's a very expensive pudding in my opinion... and will likely leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Man Utd fans!

Peter Gorman
207 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:41:46
As an ardent TWer, I've got to say I'm devastated.

What are we going to argue and bicker about now, every time an international break comes around?

As a mere fan, I'm quite content and will be delighted once the money is reinvested into a team player or players.

Colin Glassar
208 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:42:04
I see most of the media are now using the photoshopped pic of Lukaku in his Man Utd shirt. They couldn't wait, could they?
Peter Gorman
209 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:43:44
"The bores go on about Lukaku showing 'disrespect' to this club, then get all giddy about that twat Rooney coming back"

You sure they are the same people bro? I for one am giddy about Lukuku leaving and can bore you on why I'm not keen on Rooney returning, if that counts.

David Pearl
210 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:44:49
We asked for £100 and we got... well we got 90. Plus Rooney. We got what will be a world record fee. So yes that's not bad business is it!

We also got rid of our only goal scorer. Who not many really took too. I'm actually glad he's gone and we can now look forward to getting in another striker or two. Hopefully the new one will have a better attitude. As it stands, we have a much improved squad and first 11 from last season.. we've added, well we all know what we've added.

Rooney aside we have added younger, hungrier players all on the up and up right through the spine of the team. As I have previously stated, the last time we sold our top striker to Man Utd we went on to finish in a champions league place.

We need a focal point like a Giroud or Morata, and a top winger too if we loan out Mirallas. Everton are on the up and up...

Brian Williams
211 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:44:50
Hey Col. When do you think it'll be confirmed that Everton are recalling Rooney from his 13-year loan spell at Man Utd?
Barry Jones
212 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:45:45
I think that the Rooney signing is potentially a very good one if he stays fit. He will be busting a gut next year to prove to everyone (particularly Mourinho) that he is not finished. He also wants to go to one more World cup so he will be out to impress the England manager too.

All this in an Everton shirt, which I honestly believe he has a great deal of pride in wearing. He could also be very influential for Barkley and many of the younger players. The dressing room presence should not be under-estimated.

The incident of Rom being arrested in Beverly hills for disturbing the peace, after SEVERAL warnings, exemplifies the selfish, egotistical nature that we all fondly know and love. BUT, lets put Rom behind us now and move on into these very exciting times ahead. I can't recall being this excited about a new season.

Dave Pritchard
213 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:46:34
Thanks for your goals, Rom. Nice profit made. Hope you are as successful as John Stones was in his first season at Man City.

Hope we get a few more in now with the cash. I suspect that we will but, as always, time will tell.

Colin Glassar
214 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:50:21
Once he's finished his breathalyser, Bri.
Jay Griffiths
215 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:51:05
If only we could've coached him to trap a wet mattress falling from a two foot drop. Fee could've been in the £125 mill bracket.

Missed a chance there, Everton!

Barry Jones
216 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:51:41
I just heard that Rom has failed his fitness test. He was unable to finish the 5-metre dash.
Daniel Lim
217 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:52:48
Dave @214,

I'm gonna put a tenner we beat Man Utd 4-0 at home next season.

Brian Williams
218 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:52:51
Colin. How veeeery dare you. That lad's a paragon of virtue, a saint no less!

Well, he will be if he volleys the winner at Anfield next season!

Brian Williams
219 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:53:53
Barry. I heard when he got the police warning, he blamed Pogba, then the arresting officer!
James Marshall
220 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:53:55
£90m plus Rooney for free worth £10m sounds good to me.

Once a Blue, Always a Blue.

Daniel Lim
221 Posted 08/07/2017 at 12:57:44
I thought he showed us that once a blue always a devil, James?
Dan Davies
222 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:06:07
It's only good business for me if Everton sign a quality striker to replace him. No disrespect to Rooney or Sandro, we need more firepower up front.
Tony Hill
223 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:15:05
Dan (223), yes, maybe another two strikers/goal scorers actually. I think we'll get them.
Colin Glassar
224 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:15:29
Funes Mori being linked to Inter Milan now. Sell him and get VVD in.
Tim Kells
225 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:26:10
Steve @140.

Have a read of Ibrahimovic's autobiography mate. Great read, one you just can't put down and tells you all you need to know about how Riola operates. Donnarumma will be his next big paycheck.

As for Rom, loved his goals but haven't the person. All this social media stuff with Pogba is just pathetic.

Dan Davies
226 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:26:27
Tony, in my view we are stronger in both goal and defence, very possibly midfield with Klaassen – that remains to be seen.

With Lukaku gone, have we strengthened up front? Will Sandro and Wayne replace his goals?

Tom Magill
227 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:28:41
The prodigal son returns!

Great to see him coming home.

COYB

Kim Vivian
228 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:28:52
WD...?

Ah...Sorry Col, got it: VVD.

Barry Jones
229 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:28:52
Colin, I concur about moving Funes Mori on. He's an OK player, but he always makes me nervous and leaves lingering doubts. Another quality CB acquisition would be stellar and set us up nicely for the season.
Barry Jones
230 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:29:48
Kim, I think that was V V D – Virgil Van Dijk.
Kevin Tully
231 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:38:39
The Man Utd fans seem fairly ambivalent towards this move. Some are even calling it an awful signing for the cost. It seems Rom has divided opinion before even pulling on a red shirt.

Personally, if he doesn't get off to a flyer, it could all go downhill rather quickly. They are already pointing out his poor running / sprinting stat's in comparison to other strikers (dead last).

You have to make up for what is perceived as a lack of effort with some very skilful and mesmerising performances, or important goals in big games. Could turn nasty for the big lad.

Kim Vivian
232 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:41:11
Yeah – thanks Barry. Got it. Just read Colin's post wrong. VV looked like W.

Anyway – I agree if we can get him. I do like Funes Mori though, but if he's off, good luck to him.

Barry Jones
233 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:45:39
Kevin, "music to my ears". Hopefully he divides them as much as he did us. Over to you Mancs.
Amit Vithlani
234 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:45:49
Maybe I am in a minority but I will have a sense of foreboding lingering until we sign a replacement who hits the ground running.

Money means fuck all if we do not have a goal scoring threat, especially as we have a tough start.

Lukaku the man might not be fondly remembered but I hope we will not regret the absence of his goals.

Geoff Williams
235 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:46:06
If they think we'd pulled a fast one with Fellaini, then I think Man Utd supporters are in for a terrible case of déjà vu, they will be surprised at how poor Lukaku is as a footballer. He scores goals but offers very little else.

What good business on the part of Everton. Lukaku exhibited a real lack of class as person. Hope he gets all he deserves as a footballer

Dan Brierley
236 Posted 08/07/2017 at 13:51:06
Agreed, Dan (#227). I'm very happy with the business at the back and midfield, some excellent signings. But like you, I am concerned about up top now. We need a top striker to replace Lukaku's goals. I

think midfielders like Klaassen will be chipping in more, but it doesn't mean you no longer need a 20+ goals a season striker like Aguero, Kane, Sanchez, Costa.

Replacing Lukaku with Sandro feels like a huge step backwards. Let's hope he was brought in as a second striker with growth potential, and we are going to go for somebody proven who can help us push for top four. But not a whisper about us signing any strikers yet...

Pete Laffey
237 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:14:48
What about one Belgian for another.

Benteke anyone?

Michael Connelly
238 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:23:11
All pretty well choreographed by everyone involved. Everton say you can have him but wait until we've made half-a-dozen signings including 2 strikers before everyone knows we've £90m burning a hole in our pocket. Man United and Lukaku agree to keep schtum until such time.

Fake outrage from Koeman when Lukaku doesn't turn up for training in the first day of pre-season. And all the while Lukaku is partying in LA with his new buddy, waiting for the rest of his new team mates to arrive.

Be interesting to see how much we spend from now on because all of our players signed thus far have been bought knowing Lukaku is paying for them all.

Dan Davies
239 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:34:08
Dan @ 237, we need more attacking threat, agreed. Who is going to score 20 goals for us next season?

Also, how many new players can the team take? We don't want to end up like Spurs after they sold Bale.

I'd be over the moon with two more top drawer players, one of which should be a striker.

Quality, not quantity.

Eddie Dunn
240 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:37:37
So, yet another of our best players ends up in Manchester. I really would have preferred us to sell him to a continental club, rather than our rivals.

I can't see Liverpool, Chelsea or Man Utd doing something similar. I can only suspect that we had agreed to selling him if a buy-out clause was reached.

He will surely score plenty of goals for them, just as he has for us. Whether that makes him worth so much money is another matter.

Drew Shortis
241 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:38:32
Great work by Everton. It was inevitable he was going to leave but Moshiri, Walsh & Koeman have played a blinder here. As Michael Connelly (#239) points out the timing was good. No last day scramble.

Rooney in on a free and a world record fee is outstanding business. I think we'll still go for another striker, be it Giroud or Dembele as Rooney and Sandro are not really out and out frontmen.

We must have had a budget to begin with so I can see at least three major signings coming in. If we managed to pull off Van Dijk, Sigurdsson and Dembele or Giroud or a similar three, then none of us will be looking back at Lukaku's departure with regret.

Jim Hardin
242 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:39:40
"Lukaku out for £90 million. Rooney in on a free. Happy, happy days"

I suggest this is typical of the mindset of fans so used to mediocrity and so clueless as to the ambition or recognition of what type of money and players it takes to actually win in this or any top league, that they are happy that a supposed local lad is coming home. I can only hope Moshiri and Walsh don't listen to the fans.

FFS, one poster on here ignored the truth about Champions League to make his snide comment about Lukaku. Facts? Who needs em?

Why can't people be honest about Rooney? One poster couldn't even state his actual age. He, in his list of former era strikers for Everton, mentioned an 18-year-old Rooney now 13 years later. What?

That is the problem. Too many of the Rooney sycophants seem to be stuck on the Rooney image they had for a brief time and cannot see the wreck that he is now. FFS some on here seem to put him in the same category as actual Everton legends. How is that possible when he played so few games for us?

I don't dislike Rooney, he has born the brunt of England fans' suppressed desires and frustrations for a winning team on his hair implanted head and shoulders for years. I just do not think he is a step forward and he would be an obstacle to us signing players we need.

He is not coming on a free because he possesses anywhere near the ability to be a starter on any top four club. So Everton brings in a nearly 32-years-old player whose production over the last 4 seasons show a decline, while offloading a player whose stats over the same period indicate a player on the rise. This plus a bunch of unproven players and some not yet signed players are going to get us to the top four?

BTW, the wish list of Sigurdsson, Giroud, Aguero, etc is just that at this point. Everton have no day-in and day-out proven striker now. I know the window is open but there are no guarantees.

Also now that it is clear to other teams that Everton have a need for a striker and money, care to guess how much a striker with 75% to 80% of Rom's production is going to cost? Guess about £75 million.

Oh well, if he runs around like a headless chicken and kisses the badge, and applauds Ross Barkley's idiotic runs, inability to make a penetrating pass, unforced turnovers, and upper deck shots, then he is a true Blue.

Clive Mitchell
243 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:53:29
Just shows, as all the pundits told us three years ago, what a hugely inflated price we paid Chelsea for him. Looking out for all those pundits holding their hands up, but not holding my breath!

(In my view £90m is not an inflated price either. He is world class.)

Stewart Lowe
244 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:59:21
It really makes me laugh how many people slate the age aspect of this deal, what in earth are you thinking? Rooney is just 31 years old and he was never a player to ever be out with injuries.

Then you have Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is 36 years old in 3 months time. And Zlatan has had a series of injuries in his career, then came to Manchester United and scored 22 goals, 8 assists in 42 Games. Not bad for 35 is it?

I know Rooney has played from a very young age and had some long seasons, but so has Zlatan who is 4-5 years older. As long as he keeps fit, which he will be once the season starts, he will be a stunning addition.

Come on, Rooney, get yourself home and do all you can to win us a trophy.

Phil Bellis
245 Posted 08/07/2017 at 14:59:25
I sense your pain, Jim, but let's see how things pan out; touch wood, we might now be a club run by professionals.

Dan, (#240)..unless it all goes tits-up, we'll be needing more capable players for the extra games.

Dan Parker
246 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:00:08
The crux of the problem, Jim, is he wouldn't sign a new contract. Even Man Utd sold Ronaldo. If Martinez had got us into the Champions League, it might have been a different story but it was too much of a stretch for Ron in his first season. Any hopes we had of getting into the top four faded at a couple of periods in the season when Rom and Ross failed to be productive.

I don't think fans are wildly celebrating at Rooney's return but trying to stay positive in what has been a very positive summer for our club. We've been in the headlines daily with new signings.

I think the poster that stated Man Utd aren't in the Champions League probably honestly didn't think they were, which isn't obvious from their Premier League position.

Rooney for Lukaku isn't a step forward but, in the grand scheme of this summer and doubling our money on a player that doesn't want to play for us anymore, it's not bad.

Dermot Byrne
247 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:05:57
To quote you from the start of June, Jim (#243): "Risky proposition but here goes, we don't need superstar signings."

And now? "I suggest this is typical of the mindset of fans so used to mediocrity and so clueless as to the ambition or recognition of what type of money and players it takes to actually win in this or any top league."

Sure there must be continuity of thought somewhere, Jim!

Like your early June mindset better.

Tony Abrahams
249 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:10:05
Ask Bill Kenwright if Rooney is an Everton legend? Will it ever come out in the wash now the prodigal son is returning?
Brian Williams
250 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:14:20
The management seem to have a plan. We're 8 days into the transfer window proper. We have several excellent signings including a keeper, a centre back, a midfielder, and a striker. We "lost" our most productive striker in a generation through no fault of our own but have received a great amount for him.

To me the management seem to have done a pretty damn good job so far so why would they suddenly turn into total fuckwits and cock it all up?

Come the close of the transfer window ,if we're without what people would consider a 15-20 goal striker, then go postal and rant.

There's more to come, and some of 'em may be last day/minute deals.

Everyone agreed we relied on Lukaku's goals too much.

Well, in the future, we won't.

Paul Columb
251 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:17:57
Have to say I'm feeling very satisfied with how this has worked out. Lukaku was never going to stay but he was convinced to stay an extra season, one in which he bagged 25 goals, increased his price tag and our league standing. Little connection between club and player, wanted to go and we make a handsome profit.

Personally, I found him frustrating in his footballing limitations which don't need to be re-hashed and his iterations while on international duty but can't fault his overall professionalism and ambition. Good timing. Can't see him being world beater. Expect over 15 goals for Man Utd a passing off our frustrations to them in short order.

Also feeling cautiously optimistic regarding Rooney despite his age and wage bill. The question to be answered is whether he adds something in terms of attacking guile to last season. Difficult to answer as the terrain has already shifted with additions but I'd take his attitude and drive over everyone in our front line last season aside from Davies. A season-long deal with option to extend seems reasonable.

The important thing IMO at this juncture is to ensure the front line is strengthened with the Lukaku funds and that might not prove so easy.

Fantastic window thus far and hopefully just the beginning.

William Cartwright
252 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:23:06
The guy who has been a major player in this has been Kpoeman.

1st. He called the Club out on the lack of transfer effort in the anuary window.

2nd. He has (or is in the process of) a root-and-branch overhaul of the squad, all done whilst getting us back into Europe (just).

3rd. He has played Romelu like a violin, pushing his market value whilst simultaneously living with his lack of contribution to a 'pressing' philosophy way of playing.

4th. He has instilled a sense of respect and discipline within the Club which was lost by Martinez.

5th. He has room to manoeuver with the sale of Ross; he can stay or go.

Personally, I think Koeman wants Ross to stay as one of an attacking – pressing from the front of two, three or four, depending upon the game, from: Lookman, Rooney, Barkley, Sandro, Mirallas, Bolasie and Calvert-Lewin as strikers in the next season, depending upon the games and the fitness factors. With Schneiderlin, Gueye, Klaassen, Sigurdsson? Barry (part time), Davies with youngsters having an opportunity every now and then. Virgil van Dijk? Could be icing on the cake.

That squad, including Baines, Kenny, Keane, Williams, Jagialka, Coleman, Holgate, Pickford and Stekelenburg, with possibly Onyekuru at Christmas, would get in the into the top 4.

Chris Williams
253 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:27:31
I don't think Koeman, Walsh or Moshiri could give a bugger if Rooney is an Everton legend or not. I'm not sure anyone on here has mentioned that Rooney is an Everton legend, other than in the context of teary old Bill and his emotions.

The people who are running the club have said earlier this year they would have Rooney back when asked. So maybe, just maybe, they have some sort of plan.

When they made these statements, it wasn't in the context of replacing Lukaku, and I don't think that is how it should be viewed now. Look at it when all the buying and selling is finished and see how it looks then.

Stewart Lowe
254 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:30:24
Imagine if we could get two of Giroud, Iheanacho and Dembele? With Klaassen, Sandro and Rooney behind them, we would be pissing goals.
Iakovos Iasonidis
255 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:30:49
If Rooney plays as a striker, he will deliver. Lukaku's attitude from day one really tired me, I am happy with the deal. Good luck to the lad though, he certainly knew where the net was.

I suspect more signings are coming, in and out. Most interesting summer I can remember. All hail Everton!

Jermaine Jennings
256 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:32:23
A lot of people slagged off Lukaku when we purchased him, but from day one he was a good investment. He was never an Everton fan, had no allegiance to our club and just wanted to show what he can do. Fantastic investment & fantastic piece of business.

Let's not forget he scored goals for us and became our leading Premier League scorer, but take away his goals this season and we still finish 7th... Enough said!!!

Is there room for improvement in him?? Of course there is but he wants no competition, he wants to be the main man without having to work hard for it, so he will never improve; that in itself is a bad recipe in any walk of life, but that is now Man Utd's problem and personally, they will not make top four.

But, as for Toffees, a few more signings and improve our away form and we are bang right there all day long. We have competition for places which we have never had.

James Marshall
257 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:32:52
I feel like I'm the only person looking forward to seeing Rooney bang a few goals in for us.

People constantly talking about a lack of loyalty; Rooney could easily have taken huge amounts of money to play in China, but he's taking a massive wage cut to play for us. I think he'll give it his absolute all every game he plays.

Forget the past, he's one of our own and I can't wait to sing his name again.

Tom Bowers
260 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:51:44
Rooney will play a part but doubtful if he can be a regular starter except in Europa League and League Cup games but I hope I am wrong.
Brian Williams
261 Posted 08/07/2017 at 15:52:57
James (#258).

Well I'm looking forward to that too, so you're not alone.

Having said that I was against him re-signing, believing we should be targeting 22-26 year olds.

As I said in an earlier post though I trust the management team. I'll cheer as loud as the next blue in the Top Balcony when Rooney scores.

Colin Glassar
262 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:00:43
I'm looking forward to seeing Rooney leading out Chairman Bill, in his little 1955 vintage Everton kit, by the hand to the Z-Cars tune. There won't be a dry eye in the stadium.
Alan J Thompson
263 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:10:04
I must have missed Koeman's outburst over Lukaku not turning up at the start of pre-season training but wasn't it agreed that last season was his last with Everton? Albeit, phrased that he could look for another club after being persuaded by Koeman to stay for one more season.

Once that was agreed it matters not what was in the previous (written) contract. And to add, he did say a short while ago that he knew where he would be playing next season and it wasn't Everton, with no response from the club.

Tom Bowers
264 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:11:26
Anytime you can get a quality player (over 30 or not) for nothing, then it has to help the squad.

Nobody can dispute Wayne's quality – just as Man Utd did with Zlatan last season and look what they got out of him.

David Barks
266 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:21:24
People really don't understand how much of the focus Lukaku occupied of the opposing defense. It's a much different game when the defense doesn't have to focus on a very dangerous striker and can instead leave him to focus on other players.

So now the question should be: Who are the strikers that the club is going to sign? – because, right now, we are dreadfully short in attack.

Seamus McCrudden
267 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:23:33
Sandro is going to be a cracker for us.
Jamie Crowley
268 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:25:49
Goodbye, Rom.

You should have never cut your hair.

Mike Gaynes
269 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:34:04
William (#253), agree with your summary except for the final paragraph. I don't think this side likely gets us into the Top 4. Possible, but not likely.

Consider: 15 points is a lot to make up and all the teams above us will have strengthened as well.

Also, a side with so many new elements will likely take a while to "bed in" and get comfortable playing together, and we don't have a while – our early schedule is brutal.

After opening with Stoke, we have Man City away, Chelsea away, Spurs at home and Man Utd away. We could easily have only 3-4 points after five games and be looking up from the relegation zone. That's a deep hole to dig out of and still reach 4th.

So I don't expect it this season.

Jamie Crowley
270 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:41:13
Mike G -

I agree. Top 4 is a stretch and probably won't happen. I say probably because of Leicester City... you never know.

We're a better team presently. But top 4 I believe is harder now more than ever. It'll take something truly special to crack that in the upcoming season.

An aside... I just noticed another article about the NBC Sports ET. Are we losing "those" channels (491-495) on DirecTV? Or is the $50 ONLY for the streaming on computers and mobile devices?

I'm hoping we keep the DTv 491-495 and I can just record games if need be. Prepared to shell out $50 – but wouldn't pay for streaming only on phone, iPad, or computer.

Do you know if we would still get the DTv channels?

Paul Smith
271 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:43:10
Alan Myers on the GOT podcast said & I paraphrase: Wayne was sold to keep the club afloat, wages got paid, players bought & debts met.

The badge kissing is a little less easier to understand. I expect he wanted to hurt us as much as he was hurting himself. Nothing like being spurned by those who are meant to care for you the most – fans & players alike.

Brian Williams
273 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:50:05
The badge kissing was, at the time it happened, about the only way Rooney could "strike back" at the torrent of totally over-the-top vitriol and hatred that was launched at him and his family. Had some of the things that were said been said in the street by one Croxteth lad to another they'd have settled it by punching fuck out of each other.

Rooney didn't really have that option at the time so he did what they would have done to him had the roles been reversed. He was seen as some sort of "Judas" for doing what the people who launched those tirades knew they would never be able to do in their lives, and they hated him for it.

Hated him for putting his life and his family's before theirs.

Jay Harris
274 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:54:27
I see the odds on us signing Van Dyck have shortened from 40/1 to 7/2.

If only that could happen!!

Dan Davies
275 Posted 08/07/2017 at 16:58:24
Rooney is currently at Finch Farm. Seeing as nobody else has mentioned it.
Mike Green
276 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:01:46
100% correct, Brian (#274).

There was a lad c.10 years old to the left of me who spent the majority of the game stood on his seat shouting things at Rooney on corners about his mother that turned me cold. Rooney had had an hour of abuse and it was his way of saying 'fuck you', and given the reaction it worked, and worked probably better than he expected.

In hindsight he'd probably take it back but all he was doing was sticking up for himself at the end of the day.

Brian Williams
277 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:04:46
Mike (#277).

He did take it back or at least admitted it was an error of judgement and something he regretted. I wonder how many of those on the other side of the fence can say that?

Broke my heart the day he left but we were a mess. But I do have to say I didn't want to re-sign him, but purely on a football basis.

David Israel
278 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:10:40
Nigel (#129), in LA, that takes some doing!
Mike Green
280 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:21:07
Me too Brian - Easter Bank holiday from memory, I still remember the 'Could've been a God, Chose to be a Devil' graffiti daubed on the back of the Gwladys Street End that night.

Having him back seems almost surreal - seeing 'Rooney Returns To Everton For Free' etc. are headlines I never thought I'd see, or want, but strangely my overall feeling is I'm glad he's back. I think it'll be a good thing and I bet he can't believe it any more than many of us can.

Brian Williams
281 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:26:01
Mike. Although I'd have rather not re-signed him, I'll be right behind him and hope he can make a difference – even it's for only for a season before his legs go!
Jeremy Jansen
282 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:28:13
Jamie (#271), I read about the channel change not too long ago and the gist was we're getting screwed. You get whatever they broadcast live on their family of channels but all of the "Extra Time" channels and streams are off the table unless you pay up. Since we're not a Manchester team, it will mean forking over the $50 will be necessary.

Here is an Engadget article highlighting why it is terrible.

Ian Bennett
283 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:30:13
So the sale and lease back of Finch Farm paid for the £12.9m acquisition of Fellaini, which paid for the £25m acquisition of Lukaku plus £2.5m in change, which will generate about £100m in future value when Lukaku eventually goes.

I've been critical of selling the family silver, but the above has worked out well financially, and gave us some great performances on the pitch when we didn't have two bob to rub together.

David Israel
284 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:33:57
Let me be the first to scream: Where's the Lukaku money???
Eric Myles
285 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:38:04
Ian (#284), we sold Finch Farm for £2 mill – how did that fund £12.9 mill for Fellaini?
Jamie Crowley
286 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:42:00
Thanks Jeremy! That's me $50 lighter in the wallet!

We'll actually buy the Extra Time and forgo the NFL ticket if that's the case. I can catch any NFL game while I'm out. 50% of the Everton games are on that ET package of channels.

And the Wife supports Burnley! She'd never see a game!

Tom Bowers
287 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:43:31
Dan (276), It was mentioned under the other topic (Disdain at Wayne) 2 hours ago.
Paul Dewhurst
288 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:43:37
If Rooney was still wanted at Man Utd he wouldn't want to be returning to us.

People saying he's taking a pay cut to come to us, shows he's a true blue. From what is being reported, he's getting the rest of this years wages paid by Man utd as a golden handshake. So he's not out of pocket

Can he come in and do a job? Possibly. I'm just going to be gutted when I cheer him scoring. I will support the team, no matter what, and I have to trust the management team. I just don't want to give him the chance to return.

Dan Davies
289 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:48:47
Cheers, Tom. I missed that.
David Israel
290 Posted 08/07/2017 at 17:58:14
Steve (#140), thank you. I didn't know FIFA were investigating it (even if that's a bit of an oxymoron).

Having recently read a revealing book on the 'super-agent' Jorge Mendes, nothing surprises me as far as that kind goes.

Dennis Ng
291 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:10:41
Steve @ 140, looking forward to Raiola sinking the Titanic called Man Utd that was helmed by Mourhino... LOL!
Keith Glazzard
292 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:12:04
Thanks Rom, you did some good work for us. I suspect that when you play against us you will never be left alone upfield. Top 4 teams tend to cut you off at the knee.

Would I take the money or be like Leon Osman, hardly a poor person? I know what I would think.

Brian Hennessy
293 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:13:40
You couldn't make this up – Romelu Lukaku: Everton striker arrested in Los Angeles after noise complaint:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40545516

Mike Gaynes
294 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:22:50
Brian, I think the BBC did just make it up. He was cited, got a ticket and an order to appear. Not arrested. You don't get arrested in LA over a noise citation.

Kim Vivian
295 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:26:43
He's gone, move on... and thanks a bomb, Rom.

Genuinely enjoyed having you on board but now a new and exciting chapter begins.

Brian Williams
296 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:41:08
Phewwww, thank God we got rid before his behaviour really tarnished the club's good name! :-)
Colin Glassar
297 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:46:05
Poor Rom, got to appear in a LA court in October. I'm not laughing... honest to god, I'm not.
Brian Williams
298 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:48:55
Hey Col. Imagine if he got five years.Lol.
Ian Bennett
299 Posted 08/07/2017 at 18:59:41
Quite right, Eric, I think the Finch Farm money/Bellefield money had been spent earlier. I guess the season ticket finance deal funded the Fellaini deal.
Dermot Byrne
300 Posted 08/07/2017 at 19:03:53
Thought he was going to Chelsea but his nemesis bought him. Still partying?
Colin Glassar
301 Posted 08/07/2017 at 19:05:15
Man Utd would drop him like a hot brick, Bri.
James Morgan
302 Posted 08/07/2017 at 19:29:40
Mike, what about several noise citations?
Steve Dowdeswell
303 Posted 08/07/2017 at 19:35:29
As he is still out player why can we not fine the fuck out of him for the arrest. Besmirching the fine Everton name and all that.

Just hope that Man Utd don't back out of the deal now he has shown them his true colours already.

Also was it just me or did Lukaku look pretty tubby when the photos of him training with Pogba where shown in the papers.

Terry Underwood
304 Posted 08/07/2017 at 19:39:08
So, how do the agent fees work? I was under the impression that the agent works for the player, so how come the clubs pay his fees? Surely the player should be responsible for his agent.
Alan McGuffog
305 Posted 08/07/2017 at 19:39:17
Regarding the badge kissing all those years ago. I recall one Kevin Sheedy giving it V's to the Kop. How we loved that.
Mike Gaynes
306 Posted 08/07/2017 at 19:49:27
James:

"Romelu Lukaku was given a citation by police in Los Angeles after failing to heed repeated warnings over noise from a party last Sunday.

Sgt. Jay Kim says Lukaku was not handcuffed or booked on July 2 for the misdemeanour of excessive noise, and the Belgium international is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 2."

Partying too loud on a Sunday afternoon. Whoa, the humiliation is almost unbearable, eh?

And BTW he doesn't really have to appear in court... just send in a check for the citation.

Des Farren
307 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:05:51
"Imagine if he got five years. LOL." Yeah, that would be a laugh, for making noise. Come on Brian, you are bigger than that. Or are you?
Eddie Dunn
308 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:11:04
Lukaku could be in trouble in LA, with his record he could get the three "strikes and you're out!" That is a long stretch Rom!
Brian Williams
309 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:19:39
Des. It was a jooooooke. As if he's gonna get 5 years for a disturbing the peace warning.
Come on ffs has everyone lost their sense of humour!

Surely you're not daft enough to think I meant it, or are you?

Brian Williams
310 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:28:55
I wish the lad no ill will whatsoever. Glad he's gone though.
Des Farren
311 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:38:35
Ok Brian. And your post @ 297? Another Joooooke? But of course, you added a :-) Funny guy.
Brian Williams
312 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:48:15
Yes, Des, another joke... black humour. Merseyside is renowned for it. It was aimed towards Colin (Glassar) who knows my sense of humour, as I do his. Satire if you will, or an attempt at it.
James Morgan
313 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:50:26
Mike, my point wasn't about a young man having fun with his friends in LA, it's his arrogance of being told several times by police about the noise yet he carries on.

I can imagine him: "Yes, officer, I'll keep the noise down."

Then, when the officer hops back in his car and drives away, he reaches for the remote and whacks it back up again, like he's untouchable.

Graham Mockford
314 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:53:45
#313

Golden rule: if you have to point out a joke is a joke with a little smiley face, it's probably not a very good joke.

Brian Williams
315 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:57:27
Graham. Sometimes you have to put a little smiley face to let people who are too thick to realise you weren't actually serious, know that you weren't actually serious. ;-).

It also conveys the "sentiment" intended in absence of the spoken word.

Colin Glassar
316 Posted 08/07/2017 at 21:58:02
What is this? The Spanish Inquisition?
Graham Mockford
317 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:00:01
#316

Golden rule: Don't debate with thick people. Doh!

Kev Johnson
318 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:01:03
All the very best, Rom. Thanks for the memories.

ps: I think we will finish higher than Man Utd next season. 😜

Brian Williams
319 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:03:08
Sorry, Graham, I didn't realise you were thick straight away.

Didn't realise there were so many golden rules either. Apologies.

Brian Williams
320 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:04:25
Col. It could be the Spanish Inquisition; after all, nobody expects it!!
Graham Mockford
321 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:07:57
#320

Golden rule: Refer back to #316 :-)

Brian Williams
322 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:09:30
Yeh, nice one Graham.
Dave Abrahams
323 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:10:10
Alan (#306), I remember Sheedy doing that, but it was relatively mild to what Nobby Styles did to the Kop. He went in on Tommy Lawrence who had dived at Knobby coming in on the ball, which he was entitled to. Nobby being Nobby, he never held back but Tommy won the ball and he wasn't hurt.

The Kop were up in arms screaming, faces red, veins sticking out of their necks. Nobby faced them and with both hands gave them the V-sign three or four times... "Fuck you lot" was his attitude.

I loved him for it, best of all Man Utd won the game. I had plenty of happy days on the Kop; not enough when we played there.

Brent Stephens
324 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:11:19
I didn't like the tone and content of much that's been aimed at Lukaku in various threads but excessive noise on a Saturday afternoon is disgraceful. Does the man have no morals.

And totally disrespectful to Everton and brings shame on the club. Words aren't enough. Duncan's head-butt was small beer compared to this. I can't see United or anybody signing him now. His image is totally trashed.

Brian Williams
325 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:13:10
Careful Brent you may need to qualify that with a smiley face.

Oi Graham. Put that book of Golden Rules on my Christmas list please?

Eddie Dunn
326 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:13:30
Graham and Brian, keep going lads!
Brian Williams
327 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:17:09
Eddie I'd like to but had a few too many Californians whites (it's a wine, honest – not a racist comment) and need to sleep.

God bless all Evertonians.

David Currie
328 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:17:16
Barry (#213) and Geoff (#236) – both great posts. I'm so glad Lukaku has gone and we can move on. I did not want Rooney back but hope he proves me wrong and wish him well.

No to Giroud as I think we need more pace in attack, Dembele or Batshuiya would be better. Also, I would go for Sanchez from Ajax instead of Van Dijk. He would be cheaper and younger.

Eddie Dunn
329 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:17:18
Brent, is this the reason the big lad wears those humungous headphones? He must have damaged his ears! If you are reading this, Rom – I could be your counsel and argue that hearing loss was the reason you and your buddies were upsetting the 'Hood.

Could also be a compensation case too... Who manufactures your headset bro'?

Graham Mockford
330 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:18:17
Dave

This is a classic. Peter Osgood giving the Vs to the Kippax at Maine Road. If you don't want to watch the whole thing it's about 4.40


Link

Alexander Murphy
331 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:18:20
Excessive noise?

Only himself to blame...

Evertonians have been telling him to STFU for ages.

Brent Stephens
332 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:20:18
Eddie, you may well be right about those cans.
Alan Bodell
333 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:28:35
The 'bid's been accepted', he's 'bound for Utd'. I am totally astounded at how Mourinho has gambled his future credence on a lazy lard-arse for an astounding waste of money.

Maybe I am totally wrong, I must be.

Graham Mockford
334 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:30:11
Alan Bodell,

Fake news, apparently.

Brent Stephens
335 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:32:03
Well, Alan, it seems predictions might have been totally wrong about how much somebody would pay for Lukaku. £10 million some said!
Brian Wilkinson
336 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:36:10
Could not even have the heart to attend Finch Farm to say his goodbyes to his ex team mates, too buisy shacking up with his new found buddy.

Yet the guy can still do no wrong by some, glad to see the back of the guy and his ego.

Eddie Dunn
337 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:42:14
Brian, I have it on good authority that he sent a text to his old mates...

"Good to have shared this part of my journey with you but now is my time to shine with my new friends, they are all richer, better players than you, with a bigger stadium, and cooler, especially Poggy, byeeee".

Colin Glassar
338 Posted 08/07/2017 at 22:48:08
Eddie, I heard he sent a singing telegram with Hibbo. It's from the sound of music and it's something like, "so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye".
Gareth Stephens
339 Posted 08/07/2017 at 23:20:20
#334 You shouldn't be astounded. He did the same with Pogba last year and got away with it. <:P>I don't see what the hype is all about with Pogba. Seems to get nothing but rave reviews whilst being a slightly better than average Premier League player.
Brian Cleveland
340 Posted 09/07/2017 at 02:12:39
Let him go, do we need someone who will soon have a criminal record? :-)
Ian Jones
341 Posted 09/07/2017 at 06:17:20
Re Lukaku and his attempt to turn down the noise at the party. Assume he went for the remote but his first touch let him down.
Peter Barry
342 Posted 09/07/2017 at 07:02:56
I think Man Utd may have just bought a heap of party-time trouble with Lukaku and Pogba in the same team.
James Watts
343 Posted 09/07/2017 at 08:52:12
Gareth (#340). One simple reason re Pogba. He plays for United. If he played for us, you would never see an article about him.

Him and Lukaku are absolutely perfect together. Both over rated. Both good but neither as good as they think they are. And never worth £180m in a million years.

Can't wait to see them in 6th or 7th come January to see what the fans are saying about them, and Lukaku in particular after it's dawned on them he does the absolute bare minimum on a football pitch.

The only thing we have to stomach now is all the media love-ins about how they are the greatest players to ever walk on a pitch.


Ed Curry
344 Posted 09/07/2017 at 08:53:22
Apparently Rom wants to play for the best fans in the world. He will be in for a shock at Man Utd.
Eddie Dunn
345 Posted 09/07/2017 at 08:59:00
"When they came calling I didn't have to think twice, so I'm really delighted to be part of history," said Lukaku.

"Who would say no to the biggest club in the world? The best stadium in England, the best fans. I mean, it's the perfect opportunity.

"I always said I wanted to play for a team that's challenging for every trophy that there is there. I think Manchester United at the minute wants to be the dominant team, the dominant force.

"Now it's time to work hard, work harder than I ever did before and I'm willing to do it."

So Lukaku makes no mention of us or his love of Chelsea. He also says that United have the best fans! On top of this he mentions that he will work harder than before.

I think that this tells us that at times he wasn't doing his very best for little old EFC.

Jim Potter
346 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:02:31
I thought Rom joined Man Utd during that FA Cup semi final 14 months ago?
Geoff Williams
347 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:05:36
Best fans in the world eh? Scumbag. How long before they find him out to be a lazy.
Peter Thistle
348 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:06:03
Agreed Eddie, showing his true personality and lack of any gratitude, humility, appreciation etc. If he wasn't at EFC he wouldn't have had the platform to stand out but zero recognition or respect for us. Now more than ever I'm happy he's gone. The Stracq is worth 1000 Lukakus.
Colin Glassar
349 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:08:40
Eddie, I was understand your rage but I think we will have forgotten all about him in a few weeks time. He's not worth the anger as he was never one of us and he showed it.

Now the mancs can suffer his constant social media feeds and his bromance with his bezzie, Paul. I've almost forgotten about him already.

Christine Foster
350 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:15:28
Eddie (#346)... There is no grace, just arrogance, no thanks just arrogance. If ever there was a set of comments that for me ensured we would not, and never will, miss Lukaku, if was these. Humility is absent and yet there are those who side with the man because he can score goals.

I don't see any sadness from his team mates or anyone at the club and that tells a story. This guy has a long way to fall from his ivory tower.

There is a saying, that one should be kind on your way up the ladder because you will meet again on your way down. He is and was a mere statistic in Everton's history. A footnote, no more, no less. I would not wish him good luck. He has used up all those vouchers.

Brian Williams
351 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:28:58
Yeh but it's okay because he said from the start he wanted Champions League football and he made it quite clear he didn't see us as anything permanent.

And come on people, he also had the decency to let us all know how he felt every time he was away on international duty.

And it's not as if he's local and owes the club anything.

Will Mabon
352 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:29:10
Best goalscorer we had for decades and a bigger asset than many like to admit, but gone now. Not worth the attention – we have some new signings to get angry with this season.
James Hughes
353 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:29:13
I hope the transfer fee is not performance-related or they might be asking for a discount. Yes, he scores goals but at times his effort leaves a lot to be desired.

Those comments have about as much class as his first touch but I won't lose any sleep over them. It will be like the annoying colleague leaving the workplace. All handshakes and false friendship.

"You take care, Rom, it was great working with you. Yes of course we'll keep in touch (deletes Rom's number). See you soon pal."

Fintan Spode
354 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:47:12
Lukaku arrest is a travesty of justice. I have watched him play 100s of times and I can honestly vouch that the lazy big fucker has never disturbed the peace in his life! LA police are clearly up to their old tricks...
Colin Glassar
355 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:51:34
Rooney made a point of going to Carrington yesterday to say goodbye to all the players and staff. I think we might get a xmas card from Rom, signed by his agent, if we're lucky.
Chris Williams
356 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:56:57
Christine has nailed it. A total lack of grace.

He and that club and its graceless manager, are a perfect fit.

I'm sure they deserve each other, and I trust that hubris and its companion will come visiting.

Now, take a big breath, smell the roses and embrace the future.

The future could very well be Blue.

Paul McIntyre
357 Posted 09/07/2017 at 09:59:54
Reminder to Rom... you were on loan at WBA when we picked you up.
Enjoy playing for trophies there... Until Christmas.
Steve Brown
358 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:07:39
He should try sitting among the Mancs as I have done a couple of times watching the Blues, abusive scumbags who don't even get behind their team.

Lukaku gave four years, scored goals but he was never popular or liked. I barely batted an eyelid when I heard the news apart from getting excited about who we will sign with the money.

Shane Corcoran
359 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:07:40
Please let this clown be gone by the end of the day.

I have absolutely no desire to see Rooney back but this child being gone will soften the blow.

Ray Robinson
360 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:17:11
Christine may well have nailed it on the head and clearly Lukaku has acted in a rather graceless manner befitting of his new manager, but I'd be keen to hear substantiation of the view that his team mates won't miss him. Mere speculation. From what I've heard (equally hearsay), Lukaku was a popular bloke in the dressing room.

I don't mind a opinions but I do mind statements that are based on an intimate knowledge of what goes on at the club when clearly it's conjecture.

Lee Gorre
361 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:18:45
Cleverley will never go down as a success or favourite, and he would know that, but he showed 100 times more grace and class in leaving than the lazy overrated Lukaku.

Don't give me a great goal scorer, how many winners on tight games, how many crucial strikes stepping up when needed? Chelsea in the cup last year is the only time he lifted his game.

Good riddance.

Liam Reilly
362 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:20:52
Disrespectful tosser.

Let's see how long before the 'best fans' notice that his second touch is a tackle and are questioning his workrate.

He's not a Mourinho type player; smells of reaction to me as United were not getting their top targets; because he wouldn't be going to the 'biggest club in the world' if Griezman was available.

Scott Minetti
363 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:24:20
I always sat on the fence with Lukaku. His antics frustrated me but while he was banging on goals I was happy to tolerate him. His recent comments, or lack thereof in relation to EFC, have sealed the deal for me. He has disrespected us – the club, the players, the fans – and for that, I wish nothing but disappointment and deep regret for his footballing future.

Oh, and never before have I wanted to finish above the Mancs than this year.

John Newman
364 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:25:06
Lukaku statement this morning, amongst other shite he's quoted as saying Man Utd have the best fans in the world!!!! What a knob, goodbye.
Christine Foster
365 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:32:35
Ray Robinson, I can point to several occasions when team mates had a go at him on the pitch, as I said in another thread, remember Williams having at go at him for his attitude? Remember Lukaku complaining to his mate Pogggee about his team mates?

He may have been a good striker but a team sometimes needs players to work for each other, Lukaku never did much other than token efforts at that, never ran his wotsits off for anyone.. remember 503rd immovable object..

Christine Foster
366 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:35:33
Ray, I base my comments on what I see... since when do anyone of us get intimate knowledge of what goes on at our club? Never has, never will.. you will have a long wait.
Kevin Moorcroft
367 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:36:12
As per usual, he's opening his big mouth and praising up his new team without even a mention of dear old EFC. Don't worry, mate, they blow hot and cold unless it's going their way.

An really disrespectful person who couldn't give a shit about others, eg, sound disturbance etc etc. Thank god he's gone I hope... We've much more important matters ahead without his disruptions.

Don't forget he missed a lot more than he scored so the £90 mill is brill. Not in the same league as former lads from my era: Bob Latchford, Joe Royle, Andy Gray, Alex Young, Roy Vernon, Duncan Ferguson.

I'm sure our board are very happy with the arrangement. Let's rally round Wayne – Hes turned down some serious offers to come back – and he's a real Blue.

Ray Robinson
368 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:39:45
Christine, and yet Jagielka, Browning and Bolasie all had nothing but good words for him. Even Bill Kenwright has been gushing about his personality (perhaps, that isn't a good argument!). We simply don't know what the attitude in the dressing room towards Rom was.

Yes, he had a spat with Williams on the pitch. It happens. We don't know what they thought about each other off the field. Perhaps all will be revealed in the next few weeks.

Christine Foster
369 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:49:55
Ray, I hold little stock in what Bill Kenwright says in public but would say merely that why would he talk down an asset? The same with Jags, he is the Club captain, you do not publically slate other team members..

Lukaku may have his supporters in the team and that's brilliant for him, he scored goals. But he impression is and will continue, that his superior attitude and arrogance does not make him a team player.

Ray Robinson
370 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:54:51
Christine, I agree with you. It's just the business of what his team mates think of him and whether he will be missed that I'm uncertain of.
Oliver Molloy
371 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:55:33
I can see trouble ahead with Lukaku and Pogba in the Man Utd camp, both these guys love themselves too much and both think they are better than they are.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic retiring has helped this move along. Let's give him a nice welcome when he comes back to Goodison and Williams gives him a bit payback for his mouthing off!

Sean Smythe
372 Posted 09/07/2017 at 10:55:41
Off to a club with the 'best fans in the world' eh Rom. Get on your way then, the quicker the better.
Kevin Tully
373 Posted 09/07/2017 at 11:12:04
Football is a cyclical business. As Man Utd are now finding out, you can throw hundreds of millions about signing all sorts of players, but you cannot stop even the biggest clubs sliding once you lose that 'magic' formula. Man Utd and Arsenal are two huge clubs, but I have a feeling both us and Spurs could be soon looking down on both of them for the next decade or so.

I think this will be both Wenger and Mourinho's last season in charge of these clubs, and then the rot will start to truly set in.

The mighty Blues are on the up. Can't wait to break that trophy drought, then watch us go!

Brian Harrison
374 Posted 09/07/2017 at 11:21:22
Kevin

I would hope you are right I could see maybe Arsenal failing to get into the top 4 but Mourhino is a serial trophy winner. Last year everybody said what a poor season Man Utd had yet they still won 2 trophies.

Jason Davenport
375 Posted 09/07/2017 at 11:25:42
I just read his comments about Man Utd. Absolutely classless and no respect for us who gave him his chance. I hope he falls flat on his face. He can fuck off and I will be glad to see the back of him.
Kevin Rowlands
376 Posted 09/07/2017 at 11:30:45
Wait till the best fans in the world figure out he's a worse footballer than Maroune Fellaini, oh the joy!
Eugene Kearney
377 Posted 09/07/2017 at 11:41:56
He's been spouting to the 'papers about what a big club Man Utd is – did he bother to slip in one word of thanks to Everton for the last few years???

Nope.

Glad to get the money he cost in the end.

Paul Thompson
378 Posted 09/07/2017 at 11:59:06
I have no problem with Rom using us as a stepping stone. Unless a club is right at the top, that is inevitable. It's just some of the steps I have problems with.

Off the pitch he is a one man narcissistic echo chamber. I will welcome not having to listen to his pronouncements and even more; I will welcome not having to listen to other Blue's pronouncements on him (eventually!).

Ian Riley
379 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:07:42
Lukaku has lacked class throughout his time at Everton. A lack of class with his comments but typical of him. "I need to work harder now" just sums him up. Everyone is worried about his goals missing from the team. What about the games he never turned up in, mostly against the top teams?

The club has £90 million in the bank for a player with had two years left on his contract. Great business all round. Whatever the reason Jose sold Lukaku for, he must see something different now.

Ernie Baywood
380 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:11:41
I don't particularly care what he has to say, even if I do think it's massively disrespectful to be putting photos and videos of his medical and agreement all over social media before it's even been announced.

But when was respect ever a consideration for Rom? He's in it for himself and that isn't an ingredient for being part of successful teams.

On the lack of a statement from us, what do people think is the reason behind Everton not saying a word about it so far? Could we be planning to counter this news with a couple of announcements ourselves?

David Hallwood
381 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:13:33
Brian (#375) the moaning one may be a serial winner, but they didn't look like a title winning side at any time last season.

So what's different this season? Well Rom of course, but he's replacing Zlatan and the only thing Lukaku is an improvement is he's younger; IMHO Zlatan is/was a fundamentally superior centre-forward in every department so Lukaku could be seen as a step backwards.

So perhaps Pogba and Lukaku will power Man Utd to the title but would anyone put money on it.

George Stuart
382 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:29:33
This thing has more twists and turns. Apparently he's overjoyed to go to the world's biggest club. Real Madrid will be unstoppable now.
Colin Glassar
383 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:34:08
David, there is talk of Zlatan returning in January (after he's recovered) which should cause Jose endless headaches with so many ginormous egos in that changing room. Where will they store all the bling for starters?
Garry Corgan
385 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:36:18
I said during Martinez’ last season that the team just didn’t look happy, even when they were playing well and winning.

I also said many times last season that Lukaku rarely looked delighted when he scored.

With all the shitty things Lukaku has said over the past few days, I now wonder if he hasn’t been disruptive to squad harmony for a while. Either way we’re well shut of him. Hope he breaks a leg on his debut for Utd.

Jim Lloyd
386 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:39:12
Well, while he was here, we got a lot of goals from him, so that was good. We also got a lot of comments from him and they were usually disappointingly not so good. What now? He's gone, and we've had a lot of goals from him, done us good.

We've now got oodles of mazuma, a potentially great player in return, no more worries about his daft comments and a good looking future squad with more new faces to come in.

he's not sure whether he's signed for Man Utd or Chelsea but he's got a lot of cash, a lot of pressure, a lot of exposure (for good and bad) and, as Roy Keane said,

A lot of Prawn Sandwich munching non-fans.

Ta ta, Rom.

Ste Traverse
387 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:51:52
Sickening the way he's brown nosing the Mancs before even signing for them.

Best fans eh? The lot who spend most games singing about Scousers rather getting behind their own side.

It always makes me laugh when anyone describes United as the world's biggest club when it's obvious Real Madrid are.

We'll miss his goals but not much else.

Alan Bodell
388 Posted 09/07/2017 at 12:55:21
Gary, I certainly don't wish him to get injured on his Manc debut as it's far better let them see him for what he is – a lazy lump that scores tap ins and scuffs after blowing fuck knows how many chances during a game whilst pointing to where it should have gone, although he was never agile enough to get there ahead of the defender that had him in his pocket.

I'm still stunned we got £100m, brilliant piece of business, i'm gonna enjoy watching what the Man Utd. fans think they are getting as to what he actually does for them, it wont take long ha ha.

Jay Harris
390 Posted 09/07/2017 at 13:08:00
In 2014: "Chelsea are the biggest club in England."
In 2017: "Man U are the biggest club in the world."

Always deluded, egotistical big mouth.

At least the dressing room will be a better place to be at Goodison Park.

Shut the door on your way out, Rom, and thanks for the £90 million – we can now get a proper No 9 who wants to be here.

Eddie Dunn
391 Posted 09/07/2017 at 13:11:46
While he was with us, and scoring goals! It was easy to forgive the burgeoning ego and occasional pronouncements. Now he's gone it's different. I think it's a shame really.

When Lineker left after only one season, we were banned from Europe and he went to Barca, not a rival. I felt sad that we couldn't/wouldn't keep him, but had nothing against him.

Rom, we are told, is an intelligent guy, can speak a few languages and seemed well liked, by his mates. However, like many players, he always seemed to be with a small clique of buddies.

He scored some great goals for us and we got good money for him, but I hope he has a mediocre time with the Mancs, with an early exit from Europe and the only silverware he gets is a necklace from his Bro' Poggie.

Gordon Crawford
392 Posted 09/07/2017 at 13:12:18
Is he gone yet? I truly hope so. He never respected the club and I don't think he ever will. Best fans, that's hilarious. Pride comes before the fall Rom.
Now bring on the good times again. COYB
Jim Lloyd
393 Posted 09/07/2017 at 13:14:00
Spot on Jay!
Jason Davenport
394 Posted 09/07/2017 at 14:21:40
Out goes a bighead egotistical immature man who had no love for this club. In comes a true blue and team player with hunger and desire to do well for the club he loves. I am a very happy blue.
Paul Birmingham
395 Posted 09/07/2017 at 15:27:38
Good riddance to a rotten apple and egomaniac, whom has many life lessons to learn.

Thanks for his goals, and we have got good money, fleeced Man Utd, and the Koeman project is developing.

He's gone, we all move on and it's happy days and the Circus, a la Romelu, has now left town.

Happy Days and a new era at EFC has started.😀🍻


Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
396 Posted 09/07/2017 at 15:38:38
Seems that the police called 5 times to tell him to turn the music down which is why they eventually arrested him.

Can only assume the music system was more than 5 yards from where he was and he couldn't be bothered moving to it but just stood where he was and waved his arms in the air.

Barry Lightfoot
397 Posted 09/07/2017 at 15:47:41
Has the big lunk head gone yet?
Sean Patton
398 Posted 09/07/2017 at 15:52:22
People criticising Lukaku for his behavior yet justifying Rooney for his down the years is just laughable and myopic.
David Barks
399 Posted 09/07/2017 at 15:55:57
Sean,

Couldn't agree more. I'm actually a bit speechless. Lukaku has done so much more than Rooney has ever done for Everton, spent years more time here, contributed so much more. But Rooney is hailed as a club great for leaving at the age of 18 and being so kind as to come here 13 years later.

Brian Williams
400 Posted 09/07/2017 at 15:56:22
Sean (#399).

Do me a favour, save me reading the whole thread, what numbers are the posts justifying Rooney's behaviour?

Will Mabon
401 Posted 09/07/2017 at 16:01:07
Brian - 532A & 17.386 .
Colin Glassar
402 Posted 09/07/2017 at 16:01:11
Are we still talking about this fella? I've already forgotten him.
Sean Patton
403 Posted 09/07/2017 at 16:19:06
Brian

It's all on the other thread where the comments about him remind me of how the great leader is viewed in North Korea.

Ian Riley
404 Posted 09/07/2017 at 16:22:54
Sean (#399). For the past two years Lukaku has mentioned now and again his desire to play for a big club. I respect his ambition and desire to play in the Champions League. When your employer helps you move on to so called bigger and better, thank the club and more so the fans who have appreciated him.

Rooney being signed makes no difference to me. Gutted when he left but he left for the most successful club in my life time. He was ambitious and his decision has been proven with his trophy cabinet. A new generation of fans will only remember Wayne at Man utd. He signed 2-year contract and remember, he is no legend at Everton. Still much to prove.

Mike Gaynes
405 Posted 09/07/2017 at 16:42:49
Lukaku's interview with ESPN:

http://www.espnfc.us/manchester-united/story/3155160/romelu-lukaku-opens-up-about-his-move-to-man-united-jose-mourinho

Mike Gaynes
406 Posted 09/07/2017 at 16:43:58
And more:

http://www.espnfc.us/manchester-united/story/3155175/romelu-lukaku-to-fill-zlatan-ibrahimovics-man-united-place-in-my-way

Chris Leyland
407 Posted 09/07/2017 at 16:51:38
I see the Lukaku lovers are out in force here. Get over it, boys. The fella is leaving. He has never wanted to play for us.

He fecked up the best chance we had of winning something for years with that shite penalty against the Mancs in the semi final and is the antithesis of a team player. Give me the 6 players we have been able to sign for the same money we are getting rid of him for any day of the week.

We will be stronger, we will be more cohesive and we won't have to listen to him whining on about how desperate he is to leave us every time there is an international break.

Brent Stephens
409 Posted 09/07/2017 at 16:58:10
Chris (#408), yes there's nothing worse than continual whining.
Dean Adams
410 Posted 09/07/2017 at 17:01:07
Colin. What fella?😂
Matt Ward
411 Posted 09/07/2017 at 17:01:41
Glad to see the back of Rom and his parasite of an agent, they are the embodiment of everything that is wrong with the game. Ron has signed players and will sign more no doubt that will share the goals amongst the team, so he will not be missed.

I have no problem with Rom having ambition, but to be so vocal and disrespectful to our great club is disgusting. Man Utd fans will not have seen much of him as he always went missing when we played them, no more so than the cup semi-final. They will end up booing him – just like Fellaini.

Brian Wilkinson
412 Posted 09/07/2017 at 18:20:37
Still no mention of "I would like to thank Everton Football club and its fans," – the usual, I want, I want.

At least Rooney and his Mrs took the time to thank Man Utd. Good riddance, here's to the new chapter in Everton Football Club.

There is not one Evertonian anywhere, I would not give the time to, but I have never known a more arrogant self-centred person as Lukaku and his constant rants of wanting away, so glad we have seen the back of the guy.

Onwards and upwards, fellow Evertonians.

Kevin Rowlands
413 Posted 09/07/2017 at 19:17:44
Rooney joined Everton when he was eight and left at 18, thats ten years not three, he has remained an Evertonian throughout his whole time at Man Utd as his interviews have clearly shown, his whole family are massive blues and he has raised his kids supporting Everton.

His sale 13 years ago basically saved the club from going under. He has always stated that Everton were the only other club he would consider playing for and he has kept his word and is obviously very happy to be back.

On the other hand, we have someone who has done nothing but disrespect our great club since near enough the day he got here and his classless exit is absolutely no surprise to a lot of us. Goodbye, good riddance and welcome home ,Wayne.

Btw, it's also no coincidence that he's already been handed the Number 10 shirt,. Some may miss you, Rom but you'll quickly be forgotten by most of us.

Brian Wilkinson
414 Posted 09/07/2017 at 21:56:09
Spot on, Kevin (#413).
Frank Wade
415 Posted 09/07/2017 at 21:59:53
Ah Lukaku says he is going to work harder than before. Can we get a refund on his wages?
Brian Wilkinson
417 Posted 09/07/2017 at 22:09:20
I know from time to time me and the editor Mike Kenrick have been at loggerheads over Rom, I had my personal feelings about Rom months ago, when you are an Evertonian and you see it over and over speaking of champs league football, going missing in the top games, I vented my anger at the disrespect to the club and its fans.

I will confess my frustration got the better of me and I had to say my piece on here; some agreed, others had a different view which is absolutely their right.

Even now, after failing to show up on Thursday to at least say goodbye to his ex team mates he does a press release on why he joined Man Utd and not one positive mention of Everton football Club.

I am sorry, Mike, for my previous rants and disappointments, you do a fantastic job on here and it is appreciated by all the posters on here along with the other Eds.

We all get rattled and great to be able to let off steam on here. I stand by my glad to see the player gone and look forward to a new Look Everton.

Cheers again Mike and apologies if I got on the wrong side of you with my views.

Stephen Scofield
418 Posted 09/07/2017 at 22:09:35
Really hope the arrest isn't going to scupper his transfer! It's been a long time since his medical... And someone's taken his number, good luck getting that back.
Frank Wade
420 Posted 09/07/2017 at 22:25:43
David Barks (#399), Rooney was at Everton from age 9 to 18 = 9 years. He left in Summer window 2004, so 13 years ago. Sounds like he is going to do his best for us as he always did before compared to Lukaku, who says he will work harder at Man Utd. Good riddance.

Time for us all to trust the management and owners and support the club.

Ernie Baywood
421 Posted 09/07/2017 at 22:40:53
I love that we haven't announced a thing about Rom but have just given his shirt number away.

Appear to be treating his crap with the contempt it deserves.

Stephen Scofield
422 Posted 10/07/2017 at 00:22:33
#421 totally agree
Barry Jones
423 Posted 10/07/2017 at 01:06:01
All of Rom's recent, selfish, ungrateful actions just confirm what many of us already knew about his flawed, puerile character. I am ecstatic that he has gone. I am also ecstatic about the handsome profit, but let's only purchase adults from now on (or mature kids).
Michael Kenrick
424 Posted 10/07/2017 at 01:14:41

No problem, Brian. I appreciate your comments. I can't recall clashing with you over Lukaku... in fact, scanning your posts, it looks like our views are very similar.

Perhaps you had issues with some of my comments about him in my match reports, where I was at times harsh about his playing character that has been fully exposed on this thread and many before it.

I'm hoping like most that, without him and with the fine new additions, our football will be entirely different and a helluva lot better to watch!

Kevin Rowlands
425 Posted 10/07/2017 at 01:29:26
Update, he's finally left an instagram message thanking everyone at Everton, better late than never I suppose. Time to move on from this, we have a lot to look forward to, COYB!
Chris James
426 Posted 10/07/2017 at 01:40:53
Whilst certain Man Utd fans are quick to offer condescension over Rooney – "He was finished at Utd, but he's a great signing for Everton", I am somewhat looking forward to the moment they get the full Lukaku experience and discover that they've spent the best part of £100m on a striker without much of a first touch who's got a track record of sulking if things don't go his own way or going missing in the biggest games.

It is possible he'll rise to the occasion and despite his total lack of class I don't wish him ill and he'll certainly score a decent haul against weaker opposition, but Lukaku is no Ibrahimovic.

Gerry Quinn
427 Posted 10/07/2017 at 02:12:16
He will take our advice? Let's give him some...

"I want to say a big thank you to all the people involved at @everton. I want to thank the fans for your support throughout the 4 years we've spend together. You guys helped me through all my games and I can proudly say it was an honour to play in front of you. To the staff at the the stadium and training ground thank you for making me feel home from the first day I walked in. To my teammates it was great to play with you guys. To technical staff thank you for helping me become a better player. Working with you guys has been a pleasure and I'll take your advice throughout the rest of my career. Thank you, Everton Football Club."

Brian Wilkinson
428 Posted 10/07/2017 at 02:27:19
Credit where credit is due, Rom has finally sent a message thanking Everton and the fans. About time but better late than never and I salute you.
Will Mabon
429 Posted 10/07/2017 at 03:27:49
It's a pity. The world is now PR- and media-soaked to the core. Messages, statements, postings, words, it's all meaningless. It's meaningless whether it's genuine or means nothing... because how would one know?

Unless it's off the cuff and recorded live, or said in your presence, then it's rehearsed, pre-considered or prepared by a third party. Even then, some are very savvy today.

It's like the Christmas bottle between loose business associates. Doesn't change your life, but should anyone not give the right bottle to the right recipient, it's considered remiss. All fairly hypocritical to this particular cynic.

Lukaku thinks what he thinks, despite the eventual message. Guess it might improve the boo-hiss ratio a little in his favour on his return to Goodison.

I think I preferred the variety when people acted as themselves.

Ernie Baywood
430 Posted 10/07/2017 at 03:47:07
Completely agree Will. These aren't normal blokes saying what they think, they're multi million pound brands.

They still give the impression of giving an opinion but it's a very well thought out media release every time. Believe nothing, judge on the pitch.

Lukaku is like a caricature of the modern day footballer. He's right at the extreme point of where football is going. Has the loss of a 20+ goal a season striker ever been met with such apathy? He didn't care about us, we didn't care about him. I suppose at least in this instance no-one bothered to hide it!

David Currie
431 Posted 10/07/2017 at 04:55:16
Great posts Chris 407, Brian 412, Kevin 413. You are all spot on with your comments. David 399, Rooney was at Everton for 10 years before he left the club. Also in Alex Ferguson's own words we tried to sign Wayne at 14 and 16 and both times he said No.
Brian Porter
432 Posted 11/07/2017 at 06:16:10
The ego has gone, hip hip hip hooray! Even his belated goodbye to Everton, coming arse end on, after all his praise for Man Utd and 'the best fans in the world' made me cringe and I suspect he,was told to do it in order to avoid a bit of a PR disaster before the ink was dry on his new contract.

Wouldn't have looked very good for him, leaving the club that nurtured his growing ambitions, only to totally blank them after getting what he wanted, would it?

With any other club, his constant bleating about needing to move to play in the Champions League, and especially the crap he came out with on every international break would probably have led to fines, being dropped etc but no, Everton indulged the ego, the mouth, the arrogance and the agent and the father. A sort of unholy trinity there, the ego, the agent and the father.

I just have a feeling there's going to be a new wave of excitement and expectation in the dressing room with Rom gone. It might even convince Barkley to put pen to paper on his new deal, but if not, we now know the club means business and Ross can either be a part of it or try his luck elsewhere. Koeman is showing that nobody is indispensable and there's a new wind blowing through the corridors of Goodison Park.

What poetic justice it would be if Rom's new pals made an early exit from the Champions League while we enjoy a total renaissance and outstrip them in the league, as we came so close to doing last season. Now that would make me laugh out loud!


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