The Rumour Mill

Forren changes his mind

14/01/2013 |

Comments (54)

Updated Former Everton target Vegard Forren won't be arriving on Merseyside after all... not even for a proposed trial with Liverpool with a view to making a switch from Molde to Anfield as he is now bound for the south coast.

TV2 in Norway had reported, somewhat prematurely again, that the defender would undergo a medical this week before completing a move to the wrong side of Stanley Park, but after the Norwegian champions had a £3.5m bid accepted from Southampton, the 24 year-old has opted for first-team football at the St Mary's Stadium.

After Moyes and assistant Steve Round traveled to Norway and met with Molde boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back in November, it was TV2 who suggested that Forren was bound for Everton with a medical and talks over personal terms scheduled but the trip never transpired and the report proved wide of the mark.

Sources closer to Goodison suggest that Moyes did not end up pursuing his interest in the player due to concerns over his suitability to Everton.

Original Source: TV2 Norway via Google Translate Rumour source ranking:
1 = Poor; 2 = Fair; 3 = Good; 4 = Very Good; Empty (grey) = Unranked

Reader Comments

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Bobby Mallon
740 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:04:01

To be honest, I'm glad. Duffy is just as good – if not better – he just needs game time. COYB.

Jon Ferguson
741 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:06:36

Cue 'dithering Davey' comments, despite any real evidence we actually wanted him. Sending a scout to watch is not the same as actually wanting.

Those in the know on here have said he is good, but pace isn't his strong suit, maybe (with our new high line) we decided we need pace at the back.

Hopefully we won't regret not going in for him!

Neil Humphrey
743 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:12:51

No problem here. He's obviously not up to scratch and lacks ambition if he has chosen mid table mediocrity over challenging for the CL.

Ian Allaker
747 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:20:33

Perhaps he wasn't dithering but did want him, perhaps he was waiting for Bill to get some money together.

Brian Waring
748 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:24:38

Think some of the lads on here who are from that neck of the woods said he was a good player. Also, even though the Shite are mid-table, the name Liverpool FC (spits) still carries a lot of weight in the eyes of players.

Sam Hoare
749 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:20:23

No idea if we are actually interested but if we are he'd be crazy to go there where he probably would not be first choice and lower down the league...

Tony Bromilow
750 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:24:24

Perhaps he does have a lack of pace as well as a lack of ambition. And if not Fulham with countryman Hangeland then where better than Anfield – a home from home for everything Norwegian. Fuck him — better off without him. NSNO.

Drew Shortis
751 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:26:31

His loss if he chooses the RS over us! From what I know he is a decent player, but not a world beater so no need to cry myself to sleep if he goes elsewhere.

Brian Waring
752 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:28:12

Thing is though Sam, would he have been first choice with us if we had been interested.

Al Reddish
753 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:32:08

Probably down to us not having any money to follow up our interest.

James Byrne
764 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:48:34

If he's chosen the Dark Side, leave them to take the risk on this lad; although it could be down to our dire financial situation that we haven't followed through!

Another possibility is that Moyes could be getting clever in the transfer market by redirecting other Premier League clubs to so-called talent!

It could also be that a majority of the Shite's fanbase comes from Norway; he might feel at home there!

Terry Maher
767 Posted 14/01/2013 at 19:54:28

I'm not looking forward to this transfer market... I can't see anyone coming in unless Everton wait till Deadline Day.

Paul Dickinson
772 Posted 14/01/2013 at 20:12:16

He's Norwegian, of course he's going to Anfield... the place is full of them every other week!!

James Morgan
780 Posted 14/01/2013 at 20:01:50

If true then let's hope he's another Kyrgiakos or the like!
We do need to sort some signings though, at least three I'd say.

James Stewart
781 Posted 14/01/2013 at 20:29:47

Or it could just be we can't afford him. Seems more likely to me!
If we don't strengthen while we have a good chance of 4th it's criminal. That chance isn't likely to come again. Lacking in ambition. BK and cronies just happy to stay up.

Bill Gall
785 Posted 14/01/2013 at 20:27:18

If this is true, I suppose it is a money issue: Liverpool may be able to pay for a future prospect but Everton, with four recognized central defenders, need someone up front or in midfield to provide a spark and score or create goals in close games; I do not think Everton have sufficient funds to do this.

Patrick Murphy
787 Posted 14/01/2013 at 20:36:08

BBC say that he will have a week's trial with the RS with a view to a permanent move circa £4M although Reading and Southampton are also interested.

Thor Sørensen
788 Posted 14/01/2013 at 20:29:30

I'm from the "neck of the woods". :-)

My gut feeling actually tells me Forren views Everton as the more attractive option over the RS. We're challenging for 4th, whereas the RS may very well (hopefully) be on a slippery slope. (not getting CL AGAIN will hurt them financially!)

Furthermore, Molde-manager Ole-Gunnar Solskjær (ex-Manc) seems reluctant to sell Forren to the RS. Old rivalries and all that.

However, have we followed up on our interest? Have we put a bid in? Have we even got the £3m or so it will take to wrap up the deal?

Sadly, he may yet end up at Anfield, despite Everton maybe being his preferred option.

Phil Sammon
794 Posted 14/01/2013 at 20:45:24

I think this transfer is dependent on us selling Heitinga. We don't have the funds till he goes.

Can't be far off. He's had a mystery 'slight injury' for two weeks now.

Brian Murray
818 Posted 14/01/2013 at 21:58:21

Everton will put a bid in for him 5 minutes before he puts pen to paper for the red gobshites.

Rhodri Cannon
834 Posted 14/01/2013 at 22:41:32

They've already got Skrtel, Agger, Carragher, Coates and I think Wisdom can play there... money well spent from the RS yet again.

Karl Masters
861 Posted 15/01/2013 at 00:07:32

I get nervous when I see us interested in Scandinavian central defenders. It brings back the Kroldrup memories. I still think Moyes thought he was getting Agger as the two of them were playing together for Denmark at the time, and whoever he instructed bought the wrong player! We were linked with Agger for a year or so prior to Kroldrup signing you may recall.....

Si Cooper
864 Posted 15/01/2013 at 00:03:08

Moyes and Round went to speak to Solksjaer - hardly just sending a scout is it? pretty clear that the level of interest was high (at some point).

If Heitinga goes then we will need more than just Duffy won't we? If he stays we have sufficient cover for a while.

Amazing how lads we end up missing out on plummet in fans estimations, isn't it? ;)
If Moyes has chosen to let this slide (rather than he is waiting hopefully for some cash to make this happen) then that is fair enough. Don't think he is the only decent possibility. Perhaps Virgil van Dijk (crazy name, crayzee guy???) is next on the list?

Harold Matthews
891 Posted 15/01/2013 at 03:44:14

Thor (788) "THOR"... What a great name for an Evertonian. Is he the guy with the big hammer? Apart from Odin, the main man or Norse God even, I'm not really up on the Viking stuff.

Great movie of course. Fantastic music and the young Janet Leigh looked gorgeous. 1958 I think. Two years before she took a fatal shower in "Psycho"
Yes. 1960... What a year. Mini skirts, sharp suits and The Mersey Beat all over town. Every Saturday morning we would all meet up, artists and musicians, in school lane, outside the Bluecoat.... mmm Memories.

Shame about the Forren business. Your post made very interesting reading. Right now I can hear swords being sharpened and big hammers being prepared for an all out assault on the Board.

Do you know anything about Virgil van Dijk? I believe he has the pace we so badly need. OK, Mr Moyes does not favour young players... we all know that. The exceptions are the ones who do not come cheap. These he will select.

Personally, I fully expect one or two exciting additions. Red herrings are being strewn here there and everywhere but have no doubt, our nets will have been put out long ago and the catch will be hauled in quietly... and I am definitely not saying who it might be.

Happy New Year, Thor. Keep the Norwegian Hot-Line open... We love it!!

Gareth Fieldstead
896 Posted 15/01/2013 at 07:18:02

This is not an excuse just because he may end up at Liverpool, I have mentioned it on previous blogs. If he was any good and let's face it he should be at 24, hardly just starting out in the game is he? Then he would not be only having a trial at Liverpool he would be signing for Man Utd.

Ferdinand and Vidic are injury prone and there is still big question marks about Evans. I cannot believe Solskjaer wouldn't have mentioned him to Ferguson, if he felt he was good enough. I think Moyes has had a look and thought we already have better players at the club.

Aziz Diblanco
904 Posted 15/01/2013 at 09:07:15

We have a centre back in Hibbert and Duffy.

Dick Fearon
910 Posted 15/01/2013 at 09:28:36

James @ 764, may be right about Moyes diversionary tactics.
It used to be the bar codes that jumped in for any player we mentioned.
Are the RS the New Newcastle?

Mark Murphy
913 Posted 15/01/2013 at 09:46:35

I'm struggling to think of a transfer target that we have missed in the last ten years that came back to bite us on the arse? Apart from Ba, I haven't noticed any of our missed targets lighting up the Prem? I think Moyes has done ok, both with ins and outs, although I admit I wish we'd kept young Rooney.

And whilst my "gut feeling" is that Everton are a far better club than that lot and I'd play for our 25th team before opting for their first, my head says that we are still short of being the preferred destination for any professional with ambition – and certainly a Norwegian one. But I can see this changing in 2 or 3 seasons IF we keep Moyes and they keep Brenda.

Peter Leslie
920 Posted 15/01/2013 at 09:56:01

Gareth #896 - spot-on, if he was that good he'd be en-route to United - their need at CB is greater than ours or even the red shite's

Moyes regularly does my nut in on match-days, but rarely wastes our hard-won transfer kitty. Trust his judgement over Brenda's any day.

If we end up with same as we have now I'll be fine with it, but suspect it will be Heitinga out, couple of late loans in.

Gareth Fieldstead
929 Posted 15/01/2013 at 10:58:15

Thanks Peter. I agree a couple of late loans at best. Just wish the board could have tried that little bit harder so we could sign a decent wide right and defensive midfielder. They could truly make the difference between CL and Europa League. Nice to be even discussing the possibility of either!

Sam Hoare
941 Posted 15/01/2013 at 11:25:00

Southampton have had a bid accepted for him. They seems to be flush with cash, £7m on Rodriguez, £9m on Ramirez and now maybe £4m on Forren. Harumph!

Mark Murphy
948 Posted 15/01/2013 at 11:52:38

I think personally that we have a very decent wide right in Mirallas and back up in Seamus. We are also fine for defensive midfielders IF we keep Fella and once Gibson is fit (I'd prefer Neville at right back if he has to play).

We'll do well once Jelavic recovers his scoring touch – failing that he needs help up front.

Ben Jones
958 Posted 15/01/2013 at 12:25:49

He's going to Southampton now apparently. I really don't know what the hell is going on with this guy!

Chris Williamson
962 Posted 15/01/2013 at 12:56:20

Yep - southampton http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21028507

Sounds like he not all bad .... snubbing the RS. Good luck to him!

Kev Johnson
966 Posted 15/01/2013 at 13:19:58

Southampton at the moment - although, who knows, he might yet sign for Portsmouth...

Andy Stevens
969 Posted 15/01/2013 at 13:35:17

BBC reckon our interest has cooled, perhaps Moyes et al. think he is not good enough after all?

Martin Handley
991 Posted 15/01/2013 at 16:40:08

Andy #969 I agree with you, also we've been linked with van dijk and a Spanish lad who's just as good for a combined total of £1.7 mil so that'd be a decent bit of business if it comes off.

Tony Doran
997 Posted 15/01/2013 at 17:24:55

He's going to the Saints.

Patrick Murphy
001 Posted 15/01/2013 at 17:43:54

You have to wonder what goes on in modern players' heads.... Apparently Ben Arfa, he of Newcastle fame, has tweeted that in England you can be happy – 'even at QPR or Everton'.

Cheeky twitterer – or as the PM would say 'twat'.

Sam Hoare
002 Posted 15/01/2013 at 17:45:50

Apparently his fee may be as much as £4.3m which whilst not alot by Premier league standards is quite hefty for a player who has never left Molde. May be better value out there...or may just be that we don't have any money.

Martin Handley
005 Posted 15/01/2013 at 17:47:53

He'll claim it was all lost in translation!

Anyhow, QPR have won more in the last 50 years than Newcastle!

Thor Sørensen
023 Posted 15/01/2013 at 19:18:50

Harold Matthews. (891

Haha, thanks. :-p Yes, he's the guy with the big hammer that causes thunder.

From what I gather through Norwegian newspapers, it certainly seems like Solskjær has had a word in Forren's ear (telling him the RS are........ehh, shite) and that Claus Lundekvam (former Norway centre-half and Saints' legend) has had an influence on this as well

Van Dike? :-p Sounds like a lesbian.

Thor Sørensen
026 Posted 15/01/2013 at 19:44:50

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurstaston_Common

I reckon I must be a very popular guy on Merseyside? ;-) Out on the Wirral they've even put up a "Thor's Stone" for worshipping me?

Christopher Kelly
037 Posted 15/01/2013 at 21:27:39

Can't be bothered with this fool anymore. NEXT

Harold Matthews
064 Posted 15/01/2013 at 21:43:51

Thor... Your stone is part of the local landscape. A huge sandstone rock which embedded itself at Thurstaston after being slung into the heavens by the hammer man. I, along with thousands of others, have clambered all over it many times. Some folk say that the (locally famous) Red Rocks on Hoylake shore are fragments which broke off just before the main piece landed. Also, a full length Viking longboat has recently been discovered under a local pub.

As for Forren. I'm with Christopher on this. NEXT.

Yes, you are right. The comedy guys would love the Van man but it's hard to see him coming. If Johnny Heitinga goes, Dogged Dave will want someone with experience and a little more pace.

Still trying to get my head around Southampton and why we, the great Everton, are always skint.

Si Cooper
079 Posted 16/01/2013 at 00:51:23

Mark (#913) - I can think of a few we have definitely been interested in (who we were outbid for) that could have done a good job for us (Sessegnon, M'bia and Kyle Walker for instance) but we've not really missed not getting them because DM has pulled another rabbit out of the hat. If he checks someone out and then doesn't bother you can pretty much trust his judgement, which may be more in line with your thinking.

Harold Matthews
088 Posted 16/01/2013 at 02:54:12

Si (#079) — I'm with you on the "judgement" bit. In these days of fancy wages, DM will be putting the emphasis on good character and solid values. We don't want a playboy or a nutter.

Colin Glassar
101 Posted 16/01/2013 at 08:37:34

This lad sounds like he's another Erasmus Elm, going around whoring himself out looking for the largest pay packet. We don't need him IMO.

Thor Sørensen
180 Posted 16/01/2013 at 15:27:03

To be fair, he's pretty much gone out and said that money matters very little to him - all he want is to be playing first-team football, not being stuck in the "ressies" somewhere.
And, he's just rejected a move to the red shite, so I don' think should come down too hard on him. :-)

Besides, has Everton even made a bid for him?

I agree with the above though; NEXT!

Roman Sidey
193 Posted 16/01/2013 at 16:50:00

I try not to put too much stock into transfer rumours, but if this guy is now choosing the Saints, then that's a good result, as any player who chooses them over us is not the calibre of player we want at Everton.

Gaute Lie
600 Posted 18/01/2013 at 16:18:51

It's now officiall; Forren has signed for Southampton.
Price tag is believed to be ca 3 million pounds.

Ian McDowell
601 Posted 18/01/2013 at 16:23:43

Might see how good he is on Monday evening.

Sam Hoare
618 Posted 18/01/2013 at 17:30:46

Wonder if this is one we will look back in 4 years and say wish we'd got him? I remember feeling that way when Victor Moses went to Wigan for something like £2.5m.

Does this mean Heitinga is staying...

Colin Glassar
630 Posted 18/01/2013 at 18:12:20

I hope we stuff Soton now so he can see what type of "big club" he has joined. Also they deserve a thrashing, and relegation, for what they did to Adkins.

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