The Rumour Mill

Moyes watches Forren

24/11/2012 |

Comments (19)

Reports that Everton are serious about making a bid for Molde's highly-rated defender, Vegard Forren were lent further weight as David Moyes personally watched the 24-year-old in action against FC Copenhagen this past week.

Dagbladet, one of Norway's two largest newspapers, reported that Moyes headed up a five-man delegation that met with coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær before the match.

This is not the first time that scouts from Everton have watched Forren and there is strong interest from Fulham. Moyes was also present in the stands to watch his target as Norway's national team took on Hungary two weeks ago.

"Solskjær has given Everton manager David Moyes a full assesment of Vegard Forren's qualities," states the Dagbladet article. "He spent time telling Moyes about Forren's qualities as a person and as a team player. "

The report goes on to say that Forren had turned down the chance to join a "mid-table championship side" earlier this year as "it was neither the right club or level for Molde's rising star centre half."

Forren is apparently now ready to leave Norway for the right club after winning the title two seasons in a row under Solskjær and he hinted that a move to Goodison would be a good one for him.

"It is most important for me to come to the right club," Forren is quoted as saying. "Playing time and trust is the most important, and Everton is a club I'd really like to play for, I'll be honest and admit that.

"Everton is one of the top five to ten teams in the Premier League and one day they might battle it out at the top. There is a lot of great work being done in that club."

Forren was also flattered that the Blues boss personally came to watch him in action.

"It's a good sign that Moyes came here looking at my game. Now I hope that he got a good impression of me," Forren continued.

Solskjær appears ready to let his prized defender go but warned that he won't be sold on the cheap.

Translation provided by Anders Evenstuen

Original Source: Dagbladet Rumour source ranking:
1 = Poor; 2 = Fair; 3 = Good; 4 = Very Good; Empty (grey) = Unranked

Reader Comments

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Jim Knightley
858 Posted 24/11/2012 at 01:54:24

Interesting reports...We do need a central defender long term, and this guy 1) would not cost a great deal 2) or be on high wages. I would not be surprised to see us bid in January, given the reports.

However, I think we have two bigger priorities in the squad - 1) another wide creative attacking player (Donovan would be superb) 2) another central midfielder. I think the loan market will suffice for both of these.

I just really hope that we don't only bring in a central defender in January.

Peter Warren
860 Posted 24/11/2012 at 02:23:50

We need to stop shipping goals. If this means signing a defender then great. Personally I think if we had a top keeper then we would accumulate more points. Martyn was our last top keeper. The lad Butland looks a real prospect and I actually think Ruddy is better than Howard.

Tony Cheek
862 Posted 24/11/2012 at 04:46:41

So Ole Gunnar Solskjær said " if he is going, he will be expensive".

In my opinion he would be a great signing, but why not United, since "Sunny" and SAF are still good buddys?

Anto Byrne
875 Posted 24/11/2012 at 04:18:49

Duffy? What's happened to this kid?

Do we need any more Forreners?

Tony Cheek
885 Posted 24/11/2012 at 10:25:06

Have seen Forren play quite a few times this season and been impressed with him. An "old head on young shoulders" type of player that I am sure will make the grade, with or without Everton.

Jon Ferguson
112 Posted 25/11/2012 at 11:41:26

Reports this morning linking Heitinga with Ajax. Maybe the cash would be used to buy Forran?

I agree Howard needs competition or someone to take his place. The only name I've heard us linked with is Butland, who is out of out financial reach without other players being sold.

Ian Bennett
115 Posted 25/11/2012 at 11:57:01

Ajax have no money, so the fee will be small.

Dean Adams
130 Posted 25/11/2012 at 12:48:40

Having seen our performances all season I would say that all we need to compete is a few refs!! Seems to work for the top teams week in week out. A few small decisions and it will make a massive change in our fortunes, can anyone ask old whisky nose for some numbers?

Mike Powell
142 Posted 25/11/2012 at 13:59:28

Buy him and get rid off Hietinga — he is woeful. If him and Naismith continue to get games, I may aswell give my season ticket up.

Drew O'Neall
300 Posted 26/11/2012 at 12:37:04

Agree about Heitinga, not a suitable centre half for the English game and has some sell on value.

I'd ship him and his wages out for £6M and see if we could get a midfielder and young defender as cover.

Tom Bowers
304 Posted 26/11/2012 at 13:18:22

Everton have a number of players who have never really shown the competence, confidence nor consistency but still get selected and that comes down to the ineptitude of Moyes. One of those players has been around for years.

These weaknesses undermine Everton and keep them from becoming a real threat. Until Moyes goes, nothing will change... so don't expect anything soon.

George McKane
305 Posted 26/11/2012 at 13:23:06

Heitinga linked with Ajax — are you sure it's not Persil or Omo? It cannot be a football team.

He has been rubbish in every game this season. Cost us goals — look again at Saturday's goal, he seemed to jump backwards. People slagged Coleman for Fulham's late equaliser, look again at Heitinga in the middle of the goal.

I just didn't get the decision about Jags, Distin and Heitinga all starting in a home game.

Njål Vigleik Johnsen
351 Posted 26/11/2012 at 19:16:19

Norwegian tv2 reports that Forren is going to undergo medical tests at goodison this week.

Sam Hoare
365 Posted 26/11/2012 at 20:42:28

Coming for a medical?

Any Norwegians out there or people who can give us a bit more first hand info on this lad? Heard he just got voted best player in the league which must mean something.

Paul Olsen
367 Posted 26/11/2012 at 20:45:21

Well, he has been considered one of the best norwegian prospects for years already. It seemed he had stagnated a bit, but under Solskjær´s management he has become a rock at the back for Molde, who have now won the norwegian top division twice(They never won it before Solskjær took over)

It now seems he is the number one choice to partner Hangeland for the norwegian internationals after impressing this autumn.
He´s pretty tall, pretty good techically(at least by norwegian standards) and reads the game well.
He is also a courageous defender who doesn´t hesitate to throw himself into any challenge.

He´s not exactly rapid, but he makes up for it pretty well by reading the game.

At an ok price I think he would make a good investment.

James Martin
368 Posted 26/11/2012 at 20:44:19

We do need another defender at the club (although I realise that's taboo to say on here). Distin has declined dramatically this season from what he used to be, but that is the inevitable effect of playing a mid 30s player in most games.

I don't understand some of the knee-jerk reactions to Heitinga (along with the rest of the defence) showing some bad form. Last year, he was player of the season and being touted as the best defender at the club and a possible future captain. Indeed, whenever Moyes dropped him for, Jagielka he got accused of playing favourites.

Now that Jagielka is back in form, the mob has gone from mercilessly haranguing and have directed that ire towards Heitinga. 'Not good enough for the Prem' 'woeful' – did last season just not happen then? I'm all for getting someone in to pressure Heitinga and to take his place when he's in bad form but why ship out a World Cup finalist defender coming into the prime of his career?

He'll waltz off to a Champions League team on the continent and we'll end up probably having to pay double for someone not even half as good. Jagielka and Heitinga are not bad defenders, we've all seen this, perhaps Hibbert was the key all along..........

Roger Sunde
374 Posted 26/11/2012 at 21:35:21

Norwegian media reports Forren is done deal and in Liverpool for his medical.

Phil Brown
375 Posted 26/11/2012 at 21:43:30

This could be a very good buy, young left footed centre back to go alongside the right footed Duffy.

This is what Moyes is good at but definitely not at making timely substitutions.

Christopher Kelly
376 Posted 26/11/2012 at 21:53:02

George, I agree with you regarding Coleman and the Fulham goal. Heitinga seemed to get a pass on that play.

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