Didn't Holtby come out yesterday and state that he wasn't interested in a move to the EPL? He specifically ruled out links with Arsenal and Liverpool. At the same time, he said that his agents will sort out his contract situation whilst he focuses on football at Shalke. The lad may just being loyal as contract talks continue.

John, another report quoted him as saying that even though it would kill his Everton-supporting dad, he could consider a move to Liverpool. The same report says he is in negotiations with Schalke and teams in the Premier League but would like things sorted out by Christmas.

It would be nice to be in for him but if he puts in good performances in the CL, he will surely be pushed out of our price range.

I suspect we may be out bid (in terms of contract size) for Lewis but would be a coup if we somewhow got him and would send out a message to some of the better players around Europe that Everton is a club to watch if they weren't already.

From what I have seen he can play anywhere across the midfield and is something akin to a young Arteta, with great technique and passing ability.

Fingers crossed!! Maybe his dad even reads these pages??

Hard for me to comment on Lewis Holtby as I have seen very little of his play, I'm not exactly sure what kind of Midfield player he is! Hopefully I will catch him in action against Arsenal.

For sure, as a club we need to strengthen the Centre Midfield positions although I have been impressed with Leon Osman most of the season, outstanding the last 2 games. He has shown what an intelligent, creative, committed, versatile, skilful player he is. Impressing alongside Phil Neville is no mean feat!

ToffeeWebbers, any thoughts on bringing Ben Watson in January? I think he is 27 years old and will have 18 months left on his contract in the New Year so I don't think he will require massive outlay on transfer fee or wages. Always been impressed with him when I've watched him. Committed player, good attitude, puts in a good shift, works hard off the ball, moves into good positions when his team has possession, takes responsibility, often taking corners and free kicks. Capable of defensive splitting passes and versatile.

ps: I am not his agent, but I would like DM to address the weakness in CM!!

Not keen on Watson, although I like Kone from what I have seen. A young midfielder with 18 months on his contract available for a knock down fee - hmmm, how about gosling? Only joking, I reckon that Craig Gardner is a Moyes type of player. Decent on the ball, scores goals, a little bit lost at Sunderland - but Moyes could change him.

On the other topic just watch the rs snare Hunterlaar and Holtby for frees at the end of the season... Some great frees around if you follow that game and assume the ratings reflect life - they don't (cough Bakayoko) - Bosmans - Sissoko (not that one), Gourffran, Llorente, Bojan, Vargas, the above, Phil Neville

Ben Watson as in Wigan Athletic?

What is that based on? Have we been linked with him???

Good player, very neat and technical and usually plays in one of the 3 attacking positions off Huntelaar. Schalke want to keep him but havent agreed on a new deal yet and the longer it goes without agreeing, the sooner foreign teams can come in for him on a pre-contract.

I'd like to think if were still in and around the CL spots come Jan, we & he would seriously consider a deal for next season as we will need players of his calibre to have the chance of qualifying for the CL group stages IF we qualify?!

He as said he's a follower of Everton due to his dad but not said he's as mad about us as his dad is. I'm sure IF we was interested in him, his dad would have a quiet little word in his ear but I'm sure the likes of the shite and Arsenal will come calling to sign him for free as he is a good player and will only get better.

Here's me thinking we might just be making that step up in terms of quality to the upper reaches of the league and someone mentions Ben Watson and Craig Gardner.

Think I'll go and have a lie down.

Phil - and where is the money going to come from?

I have seen Holtby a couple of times and he looks very goo. The player I really like is Al Habsi from Wigan-a really good goalie would add 5-10 points to our total.

Holtby hit a great volleyed pass-a real defence splitter for Shalkes goal

Someone ring his Dad and put in a pitch to Holtby

When they were 2-0 up I expected they'd blow it. A shadow of the invincibles.

Fuck Arsenal - the Dortmund game is a cracker - what a team they are

Holtby was playing just off Huntelaar tonight, but was all over the pitch looking for the ball — a sign of a really good player.

Two assists (1 lucky) and some great touches. He is just the type of player we need.

If he were to come to England, I don't see why we could not compete with L'pool or Arsenal as far as wages are concerned — they are not paying wages on a par with City or Chelsea any more.

We might be skint, but we do have quite a few £50k a week players. I believe Fellaini is on something like £70k a week, and there is a distinct possibility he may be off at the end of the season.

I read this article on Liverpool eyeing Holtby, and there were also recent rumors of an English club with "a very interesting proposal".

Do we have a chance of getting the guy?

http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2896/premier-league/2012/10/21/3465106/liverpool-step-up-holtby-pursuit-ahead-of-free-summer-move

I reckon the only way we would be able to afford Holtby would be if Fellaini is sold. Getting him & Ofoe for Fellaini may not be a bad thing IMO.

I'd be devastated if we lost Felli - particularly after his performance at Fulham - but Ajay (#463) might be right.

Suspect these leaked reports are as much about strengthening Holtby's bargaining position with Shalke at this stage. When he has an acceptable offer from them he can decide whether he goes to the market.

Ian Bennett 424 is right, there are lots of good Bosmans around at the end of the season. Most of them will probably be pre-agreed long before the Summer.

It feels to me like we have an even smaller squad than usual and have shifted some of the heavier earners in the last year. I imagine the biggest earners are Fella, Pienaar and Heitinga. The latter of these could leave and we might hopefully have some room to bring in one or two more though the danger of Bosmans is that you end up paying inflated wages.

Ben Watson and Craig Gardner — are you having a laugh?!? That is a backward step: we need players like Holtby if we are to challenge for a Champions League place.

The German league doesn't offer big wages compared the EPL, so even we can compete against Schalke for him. The only problem is Arsenal/Spurs in my opinion, they are our main competition in the league for a CL position. Realistically Liverpool will struggle to get a CL spot again, so what's the point in moving here from Germany where he was getting CL football?

We have shown through signing Mirallas that we are competing against the likes of Arsenal and Spurs; we can guarantee first team football. Given the new Sky contract kicks in next season were all the clubs get an extra £15 million (so I hear), hopefully the board will pull their fingers out and get to persuading the lad to join us.

Plus Neville only have another year after this left in him so Moyes will be very wary of getting a replacement in ASAP. Credit where it's due, he was quick to replace Cahill with Naismith.

Didn't see Lewis Holtby last night sadly but pleased to read the positive comments on him. Obviously if we can bring him in January he would seem to be a terrific addition to the squad.

We clearly need a little more youth and quality in our starting line up if we are to grab 4th spot and this has to be our aim. I just don't see this as being achievable with Phil Neville in CM and in the starting 11. Gibson's prolonged absence is a worry and we are losing momentum because of it.

Given the perilous financial state the club is currently in, I think we will find it difficult to bring in LH without selling an existing player. Question is which one?

Like Holtby for a while now, maybe around the time I read an interview a few years ago when he confessed his love of Everton. I'd love it if we could get something arranged, think he'd fit in well and deffo in our wage structure as a "star player". Wheres the cash going to come from? Well I'd be very surprised if one of of Heits/Felli or Baines were still kicking a ball for us next season. With Chelsea and Man U both looking for LBs especially.

I think top four has to be the priority if we want to keep hold of what we've got and hope to sign the likes of Holtby, tough one for me though, I think I'd like to see us lift a trophy but, if we've got any chance of staying in a top four position, I can't see Moyes putting out a full strength squad for the FA cup games.

Mike - No I am not having a laugh, as I am not a football snob. Tell me what you thought of gough, weir, Hutchison, Gibson, Jelavic? I have seen big names flop, and gambles prosper, so I would never rule out anyone if Moyes so something he could kick on - Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar etc.

I would love for us to be signing Holtby or any of those good Bosmans. History however has damped my expectations where we tend to fish in smaller pools. Yes, we might be able to afford the wages, but we might have a problem with the signing on fees or agents fees for arranging the deal. I remember Chamakh who signed for arsenal had a huge signing on fee and inflated wages, so Bosman frees aren't quite that, nor do they always work – cough Kewell, Cole, Poulson etc.

Is there any substance to Holtby other than he's a blue?

Can't just consider the finance. Have to look at what team Holtby will get playing time with. How many of the moneyed teams will give Holtby the time on the pitch he enjoys now?

Pienaar, Arteta, Fellaini, Jelavic, Mirallas? They were secret talents only Moyes knew about? Hardly. The moneyed clubs had fellows in those positions already being paid a ton (some of them forced to sit and watch). We saw how moving for money worked out for Pienaar.

With the thinness of our squad, a youngster like Holtby has a better chance to play at EFC. Money talks, sure. But players want to go somewhere they have a good shot at actually playing. I'm seeing Holtby in that group selecting where to go based on having a reasonable chance getting in the side. After all, even Everton wages are off-the-charts compared to working stiff ones.

Having bottomless funding takes. It gives too. Haven't the slightest we sign Holtby, but wouldn't dismiss it due because other teams have more money.

James - with respect the sky 4 weren't looking at failures like arteta, pienaar, or a lad from the Scottish prem when they have 10 times the budget to pay for players who are at it. Everton pick up with the miss fits and rejects that the top table don't want hence they fit our radar.

Top teams accumulate players, and I would think most players would go to a sky 4 side over us whether it's wages, prestige or genuine consistent top 4 potential, whilst most of our squad would cut and run from our place if the opportunity presented itself. Most need new midfielders, so whilst we are on the up lets not get ahead of ourselves just yet.

Ian - Can't see where we're disagreeing. Arteta, Piennar, Jela, etc. weren't failures. They were EPL-quality players looking for a chance. Specifially because the money clubs didn't need them, they fell available to us. Moyes gave them the chance and we see how they turned out. All I'm getting at is that the same big money clubs could use a Holtby, they just don't need him, so won't bid. Which makes him available to us. Just as Arteta, Miralles..........

James - when we signed them they were. Pienaar failed at Dortmund, arteta failed at Sociedad. It's why we picked them up firstly on loan, and then signed both for under £3m each. Classic moyes miss fits. It's like scouting the wonder kids on an old copy of champ manager.

Holtby is a German international, and is already playing champions league, so I would think, he is more likely a sky 4 signing than our Kev Mirallas who is playing in Greek football, particularly as a 'free'. Yes, Mirallas turned down arsenal supposedly for us, which could be a sign of things to come, or they were interested but prioritised other players over them. We don't really know.

Chelsea, arsenal, and united have some holes in the midfield with players either not being up to scratch - diaby, rosicky, arshaven, or long in the tooth, lampard, scholes, giggs. So I would expect others would be interested, in the same way others were interested in Ramsey.

We will be able to offer him Champions League Football next season; he will want to go to a club playing Champions League Football so that will rule out Arsenal and Liverpool.

Ian - Fair enough. Let's see if we even go in for him. I hope so.

James - I hope so as well.

If we can get through a tricky December and remain in the top 4 come January, that could make negotiations a lot easier with any potential new signings.