Doesn?t sound like our board - but I hope you?re right. But Minty hasnt signed in yet.... I sniff a Sissoko on our hands if it isn't wrapped up asap.

Sorry, but based on previous "deals" and the fee involved, I just cannot see Everton landing this type of player, as it look?s like a smokescreen for the stadium debacle. Everton need at least six player?s and this would take a big chunk of the kitty. Also selling Andy Johnson makes no sense whatsoever, having lost McFadden and Vaughan?s injury record, plus Anichebe gone to the Olympics... can Everton really afford to lose a striker?

So Moutinho would join in this ?smokescreen? as he wants us to move to Kirkby aswell does he? He has said he wants to come. A bid has clearly been made as Sporting have confrimed this... so let's just wait and see and not attach a conspiracy to everything that happens.

Just to add some ?Facts? to the debate this statement is from the official Sporting web site. - As is public knowledge, Joao Moutinho?s contract was substantially improved last year and provides for a termination clause to the value of ?25m (£19.7m) which can be exercised until June 15 of each year. Any proposals submitted after that date, although not binding on the company, will have to comply with certain requirements, which did not happen.
He looked an ok player in th Euro?s, but I think negotiations have a long long way to go, but £19.7m!!!!!!!!!

Just imagine if we can, just maybe can, pull this deal off. He’s a cracking little player, and he would be signing for us during the peak years of his career. Maybe this signing would be the start of convincing other great players that we are an attractive prospect. If Moyesey can pull another 3 or 4 players out of his transfer hat, then we should be looking at another good season on the field.

Hate to put a dampner on things but if, and that’s a big if, we buy him. I can only see it as a "loan". He’ll stay a year, maybe two. And if he does brilliant for us on of the top 3 clubs will just buy him off us. All they have to do is say that they are interested and that’s it he’s gone. Even Arsenal can’t hold on to their players, what chance have we got. I hope I’m being over pessimistc, I really do!

Sensible post by Tony Horne, look on the positive side. Hope to have a great week in Chicago Tueday in the Globe Pub then on to the game Wednesday at Toyota Park. Seeing the BLUES playing again beats sitting at home moaning and worrying about who or who we haven't signed. Hope to see a lot of ToffeeWeb supporters there at the game although it is a bit further than Kirby. I will travel to see the Blues whereever they play!!!

Tony,

There’s a long way to go. If, as is reported our ’initial’ offer is way below the so-called asking price, then don’t be shocked if we get ’gazumped’ by a club prepared to offer closer to the required amount. I always feel with EFC that we try to squeeze the selling club. I know it’s called ’negotiation’ but sometimes it leaves you vulnerable to rival bids, and if this kid is so good, then that’s what we’ll be. We’ve got to make a more realistic offer and quick!!

Well said Frank McGregor.

I?m seriously getting pretty sick of the pessimism eminating from these pages. If it wasnt for my need of a daily fix on all things Everton, I?d be staying well away at this moment in time.

Go out and enjoy the Sun, unless you think Wyness and Kenwright has only made the sun come out to make us forget about the lack of transfer activity.

Oooohh the Bastards!

I hope I'm wrong but if they value him at £18 million and weve offered £9 million I can't see it happening. Is he worth £18 million?, I don't think so, but why, if you know someone's asking price, make a ridiculous offer? It just makes the club look silly.

We?ve offered £11.8million. The exchange rate is quite steep at the moment.

£11.8m for Moutinho? I'm just waiting for Bill to come out and say a £19.7m player doesn't necessarily cost £19.7m. From where I'm sitting, Sporting don't have to sell and Everton aren't even in the same ballpark with their valuation. If AJ with his recent scoring record in the Premier League is worth £10m+ then surely we're just having a laugh at Sporting's expense. We might has well gone and offered them a fiver and half a pound of Edam ? same result.

At this rate we'll be inviting Tommy G back for another encore. It's Manny Fernandes all over again.

Everton bid £11.8 million plus add-ons based on Champions League qualification and other incentives but it was rejected as Sporting Lisbon want closer to £18 million. Within the next couple of days, we're going to make an improved offer for Moutinho! The player has stated he wants to join us and that he?s let Sporting officials know of his wishes and that he hopes the two clubs will come to an agreement shortly!

So what do you say to that then the doom mongers amongst us Evertonians, them who say the clubs potless and on its arse! I don't think many clubs who are potless and on their arse put in close to £12 million pound bids for players do you?!! I think this is the big signing Moyes wants to get wrapped up first to show are other potential targets are ambitions and intentions and that we are a club prepared to seriously challenge the Sky Four each year and I think if Moutinho signs then the rest will follow! IMWT!!

Tony?s right about the way other clubs do their ?business?. Real Madrid?s arrogance is hated in Spain and Beneathcontempt thinks he can use their methods here. In their defence, RM flourished under fascist dictator Franco?s protection - what?s the RS excuse? Gerrard and his boss should both be warned about their future conduct by the FA.

I hope we do things differently.

I refuse to get excited until he is on the Goodison turf in the correct shirt.

Had enough of this get excited before the contract is signed over the years..

Is a nice thought though isn’t it? If we can sign Manny too, well.... There I go getting excited = (

Is he really that good? £18 mill is a lot of money for a player who may be out of his depth in the prem and may struggle with the pace and physical side of the prem.

Dave Turner, I really think Manny will be joining us and soon. There have been no other clubs linked with him. The price being quoted now is more realistic and I?m almost tempted to think it's almost a done deal.

As for this Moutinho, even if we do agree a transfer fee, would we pay the wages he is likely to be looking for? I suspect some kind of loan deal is more likely.

From what i’ve seen of him i think he could be a good signing, i think if we start offering near the £15m / £16m area we will get close.

For ages i’ve said that if there was one player in the premiership i could sign for everton it would be Cesc Fabricas - and Moutinho looks a similar player. So i’m hopeful.

A couple more ’bodies’ to boost the squad and i think we’ll be ok - I know the season is nearly apon us but the transfer window is 5 weeks away and in football, that’s an age away!

Do we have any fans over in Spain that have heard any more on what’s really happening with Fernandes? Are Valencia still up the creek and needing to sell? Moutinho would be a great signing if not a little steep but we still need another four or five especially if AJ goes and Fernandes should be one of them.

Expect Everton to make another offer half way between the £11m & the £19m. It will be rejected once again and then we will go in closer to the £19m when another club will come straight in ? eg, Fiorentina, who have also been monitoring Moutinho and buy him on there first bid...

Don't want to sound negative but we cant afford to fuck about with players at this calibre who have issued a "come & get me" plea. Now if we dither and dither I'm sure he will just go elsewhere. Come on lads get this deal sorted!

Quoting the BBC website:-

"Everton have made an official move and, according to Sporting, they would have recieved more money if Moutinho helped the Toffees reach the Champions League."

Cash in the bank, surely ;-)

I'm afraid that if clubs are prepared to pay £20 million for Keane and even more for Berbatov then our first offer is derisory. Let's face it, the player is young and talented and the £18 mill wanted for him is realistic by today's standards; he has years in front of him at the top. He looks another Fabregas and I would take him as an investment for the future... plus a few more decent players to bolster our squad.

I really hope the Board are serious and are backing DM for the future. I reckon Moutinho would carve out lots of chances for the Yak and help develop other youngsters with promise at the club. We would have a genuine midfield who can play the ball on the ground ? not just hoof it for willing runners.

We need players like Moutinho to keep possesion so that we can really compete with the top teams. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope to see quality arrivals.

A statement on Sporting Lisbon?s official website reads:

?Following the statements made yesterday to the media by player Joao Moutinho, who expressed his willingness to be transferred to another club, which he already forwarded to the board and director of sports society, for alleged reasons of a personal nature, the board of directors has communicated the following:

1. Last Saturday the Fifa agent Pini Zahavi, with a letter of representation issued by Everton FC, visited the headquarters of the society and transmitted that the English club offered ?15 million (£11.8 million) for the acquisition of the sporting rights of the player Joao Moutinho, with the figure eventually adding an amount not yet determined if Everton FC qualify for the Champions League.

2. The proposal was rejected outright and it was told to Mr Pini Zahavi, who acted in the dual capacity as representative of the player and Everton FC, it was not the intention of Sporting SAD to transfer the player.

3. As is public knowledge, Joao Moutinho?s contract was substantially improved last year and provides for a termination clause to the value of ?25m (£19.7m) which can be exercised until June 15 of each year. Any proposals submitted after that date, although not binding on the company, will have to comply with certain requirements, which did not happen.

4. In addition Sporting SAD believes that its structures have the ability to create good conditions for an athlete, with much pride, beyond the questions of a personal nature which he faces and can continue to feel good and happy in their midst.

5. Finally, reveals that the personal reasons that the player pleads to transfer are completely unrelated to Sporting SAD and the employment relationship it maintains with the player and, as such, it cannot justify in any way an act of management that does not advocate adequately the interests of the company and its shareholders.?

All this talk of Moutinho, I’m sorry I didn’t see him play so I can’t comment. I thought we were looking for a replacement for Carsley, would Moutinho do the same job? I’m only asking. My reason for this question is because we were linked with Orlando somebody, the dutch fella. I saw him in the Euros and I’m sorry, I thought he wasn’t capable of doing Carsley’s job. In my opinion I thought De Jong would have been a much better replacement even though of his age. Just an opinion though!

I must disagree with all the knockers of BK and KW, the quality of the players were being linked to is much improved than recent seasons. Keep the faith, the signing of 4 quality players and 2 decent squad members will happen in the next 2 weeks.

Look back to when bill took over. Relegation battles, crap signings... now we're in a competitive position. With the progress made over recent seasons, I?m confused over so many of the comments I read on this site.

In Moyes we trust. COYB

Portugese press has now quoted Moutinho as saying he has told Lisbon he wants leave and hopes a deal can be arranged with Everton. Looking like upping the offer to £18 mil will get him. This would be a great signing to add the X-factor we are looking for.

Nice to see a few positive posts on here. It is good to see us linked with a better quality of player and let?s hope we can pull one or two off. COME ON THE BLUES. ONE LOVE.

There’s absolutely no way we’ll sign 6 players. If we do I’ll eat my hat! Do you know how much that would cost? Moutinho 18 mill & Fernandes 8 mill, we’d have no money left after that would we? I’m not even convinced we’ll sign either of those 2 on second thoughts, some megabucks club will probably come in and offer the full money for Moutinho and why can’t we just sign Fernandes? Haven’t we learned from last time, if you wait..and wait..anothe club comesin and signs him!

What interests me is the way the papers are talking up the relationship between DM and Pini Zahavi. If I read things right he is being called Everton’s "money man" and "mr fixit".

He was responsible for getting Yak last year, he is also Moutinho’s agent, and he is trying to hook us up with Milito and Ochoa. In other words pretty much all of our potential signings right now appear to be linked to Zahavi.

I hope he is involved in the club in some way or other, after all he arranged the takeovers of Chelsea and Pompeii, amongst others, so he might be able to find a buyer for the Toffee’s to. After all he is very close to Mssr’s Earl and Green in other business dealings.

But didn?t someone state "you don?t need £5 million to buy a £5 million player...

Cheers Donald. Good to see someone else talking sense...

I?m prepared for the abuse I may get for saying this but I don't think we should get rid of Johnson (even though the money from his sale is probably going towards the Moutinho deal). My reason behind this is.... .Johnson is one of the fastest players in the Premier League, and with him running on to the quality balls that Moutinho can play him along the ground slicing defences apart, it seems silly to let him go. Can you really see the Yak or Anichebe running on to them at great pace. The only other player we have capable of doing this is Vaughan but aren't we putting all our eggs into one basket if he gets injured (again)....

Interesting to note that Moutinho wasn?t named in Sporting's squad in this evening's friendly against Benfica. I?m not getting too excited but that doesn?t sound good for Sporting. Maybe we?ll hear some welcome news soon? Maybe...

Sorry if this is just another doom and gloom post but Manny is apparently impressing the new Valencia coach and may well stay with them.

Anyway if we were going to get him surely we would have done it before the squad goes to America for some half-a-team-building excecise?!?

This article in The Guardian says it all about our current finances:-

While David Moyes demands assurances that his club have the means to match his ambition, Everton have added two more mortgages to their balance sheet. The loans, both struck with the boutique Edinburgh bank Adam & Company, are in addition to money borrowed from Barclays last year against future television income.

The first Adam & Co loan was drawn last October and the second last month, meaning that Everton now have a total of 12 outstanding loans against their property and assets. Most significant among them is a £30m loan from the Prudential which will cost £68m to repay over a 25-year term and "will be repaid in a securitisation agreement serviced by future season-ticket sales and match-day ticket sales".

Having broken the club?s transfer record in each of the past two summers with the purchases of Andy Johnson and Yakubu Ayegbeni, it is unclear how often Everton will be able to repeat that feat having mortgaged future revenues.

Meanwhile, the club are shrugging off the latest move by a group campaigning against the proposed move to out-of-town Kirkby. The Keep Everton in our City campaign believes it will soon be in a position to force the board to hold an EGM over its concerns about the additional £78m in borrowings that the club must find for the relocation. But Everton say that the group will not secure the support of the required 20% of shareholders to call the EGM.

" I don?t think we should get rid of Johnson (even though the money from his sale is probably going towards the Moutinho deal). My reason behind this is.... .Johnson is one of the fastest players in the Premier League, and with him running on to the quality balls that Moutinho can play him along the ground slicing defences apart, it seems silly to let him go"

Have you ever heard of the chicken and the egg? You admit yourself that without Johnson moving we can't get Moutinho so who is going to provide the balls for Johnson? And anyway he fucking misses everytime!

Reading up on that agent Pini Zahavi we do have strong connections

# Yakubu Aiyegbeni
# Kevin Campbell
# Idan Tal
# João Moutinho

All represented by him so maybe ... just maybe we will sign him

If he?d be as good as Arteta we should sign him, if not don?t pay £18 mill for him and spend the money on bringing a few players in. Is David Moyes doing anyone else?s head in? Don?t get me wrong he?s done brilliant for us but when it comes to bringing players in he often leaves it until the last minute. Surely he should have brought in atleast a couple of players in early July to bond with the sqaud and get match fit. I know some of the money available will be determined by the decision over Kirkby, but surely we could have afforded £5 mill on a defensive centre mid (M?Bia or Emana) and brought in a couple of players goin on the cheap to add quality and numbers to the squad?

As it stands we could be in big trouble next year if don?t get a physical defensive centre mid in soon as we?ll get bullied off the park and teams will run right through us. I can?t bear to think he?s planning on playing Phil Neville there and we can?t expect Gosling or Rodwell to be thrown in at the deep end as part of the starting 11?

A couple of interesting things in the Portuguese papers this morning. Firstly Record has a poll of Sporting fans asking "Should the club let Joao Moutinho leave, as he wishes?" and 66% are saying yes.

The second article is in A Bola and explains the bid that we made. Although his recision clause is ?25M (so they would be obliged to sell at that price), he has a clause stating that if the club receives and rejects a bid of ?15M or more, they must pay the player 10%. So by us making our bid, Moutinho earned ?1.5M (or so he believes, A Bola reckons that Sporting are refusing to pay because our offer was not in writing and was after the annual deadline for his recision clause).

Now for a start I hate the way that agents can work both sides of the fence, it’s immoral and shoul be regulated, but that’s the way things are. Zahavi is representing both Everton and Moutinho in the deal, so he has obviously told Everton the details of his contract and how much to bid. If A Bola are correct then, there is only one question remaining:

Is Zahavi helping Everton get Moutinho at the best price possible?

Or are Everton helping Zahavi get ?1.5M for his player, or potentially a move to a different club because Sporting won’t want to pay it, and at the same time placating their supporters?

I know what the majority of Toffeeweb contributors will think...

Sky Sports reporting that AJ is currently having a medical at Fulham.

We do things "the Everton way". Not for us the long, drawn out signing sagas and the knockbacks. Instead we just get on with training and playing. You can see the relaxed nature of the players on the official site under the gallery photos for the journey to the US. Witness the excitement as "the players and backroom staff rumage for their gear" :0)

One less in our squad as from tomorrow..

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/07/28/SOCCER_Everton.html

According to that article we’ll get £12 million for AJ. That’s even £1.5 mil more than reported earlier and good, very good business if you ask me.