Blues linked with move for Diame

At least its not a wigan player!

Wouldn't say no. Big and powerful, I watched him play against Liverpool last season and he went off injured with West Ham in the lead. That was the turning point of the game as Liverpool went on to win.

Looks a good player but hes had a fair few injuries. He'll be swanning off to the African Nations next season too.

@517 He was a Wigan player before he went to WHU.

Would take him over Fer - whenever I watched WHU last season he was head and shoulders above any other WH player.. I'd be surprised if there is a £3.5m clause though, otherwise surely other teams would have triggered that before now?

If fella stays do we need him? I don't understand this one tbh.

Colin...."IF Fella stays".....a big IF, my friend. It's all gone very quiet on the Fellaini front. His buy out clause ceases in a week or two, apparently. Just wait for an offer considerably less than his £23M clause and we'll see what happens.

Ray, how come the buy-out clause runs out in a week or two? That seems like a stupid idea to me, but then again this is the Everton way.

Big strong box to box midfielder who's only 26 and would only cost £3.5 million, sounds like a very good deal to me whether Fellaini stays or not.

Phil #538 The AFCON is every two years the next tournament is in 2015 in Morocco.

Clause means we cannot reject a bid that satisfied the clause conditions. Post clause we can reject or accept anything.

Probably means we are more exposed post clause unless prepared to baton down the hatches and say no.....

Ray , The buy out clause closes then Everton don' t have to accept any offers for him.

@Patrick (560) - How does that turn into a criticism of "the Everton way"? Surely the expiry of a release clause is to our advantage. It'd remove a minimum price at which we must sell a player.

Patrick. I've read on ToffeeWeb and on another news page that his clause finishes before the window closes. I would imagine that this would give Kenwright an opportunity to sell Fellaini even if no offer above the clause was received. (that's why I put "apparently", I am repeating something from another source)

Geoff, true we don't HAVE to accept any offers for him, but if Arsenal came in with a cheeky £18m-£19m bid do you think Bill would sell?

Phil Davies 566,

Thank you,one of the few who understand the position and strengths of Diame.
In the post about the Celtic lad yesterday almost all of the posters reacted to my mentioning signing him by saying "why do we need another defensive midfielder"
This lad is a monster of a player with a lot of skill to go with it.
As you say box to box.Would be perfect in 4-3-3.

The reason for time limit on Fellaini's release clause is to prevent somebody taking advantage too close to the end of the window preventing us from bringing anybody else in.

I believe the clause is inactive between 17th August and 1st January

Thanks Ray I must have missed that post.

Robin I know what you mean but this is Everton and we'll probably get nearer to £15m for him when it should be closer to £25m. It just seems strange that it usually when the group stages are finalised that CL qualifiers make bids for players that will help them in CL. It might work to Everton's advantage but it probably won't. As with today's transfer, we're unlikely to find out exactly how much we get for the big fella so it will stop fans from demanding that RM spends the total amount of money we receive for him.
Smoke and mirrors, it's the Everton way.

Diame is a real bargain for £3.5 million, this is a no brainer for me - get the lad signed up - this is if there's actually any substance in this rumour.

The only thing that pisses me off is: Kone and Diame if signed will be going to the African Cup of Nations in January. There's always that down side to buying African players, its about time the corrupt morons at FIFA did something useful for a change, and change this competition to a summer one

There's nothing to stop us selling Fellaini for, say, £20 million on deadline day! I'd say good business, if we can get Diame for £3.5 million.

Only seen him play on telly a couple of times but he was great. Depends on his injuries, and I'm not quite sure why others aren't going in for him.

Clicked on this link with interest and kept reading all up until the first word......Talksport......

Mark 585 - the next ACN is in 2015 not 2014 (the last one was this year).

Also why should Africa (an entire continent)change the timing of its bi-annual football competition just to satisfy the English Premier league fixture program?

(Nevermind the fact thats its bloody hot and monsoon season in large parts during the summer!)

Fifa should be giving the 2022 WC to someone else rather than accepting petrodollars to stage it in 50 degree heat in Qatar, instead of worrying about the ANC timing!

I keep seeing posts concerned about us signing Wigan players, were not signing ALL their players just cherry picking the best ones, don't see why that's a problem tbh.

BUY HONDA FOR 50£ MUTCH BETTER 29 YERS OLD NOT GOOD

Ray, I think the interest has cooled considerably in Fellaini for some reason. Wage demands maybe? I'm not sure but despite being a great player, IMO, it looks like no one wants to either pay for his buy out or, give him the wages he demands.

Jon@590, could be something to do with his dodgy ticker.

Sorry Dennis, I thought there was a ACN in 2014, I get confused because hasn't they been a ACN for the last 2 years running?

By the way Dennis, the majority of these African players play for European clubs who pay them good wages while they swan off to the ACN. Its hardly fair on their clubs is it?

Also Africa is a big Continent, all FIFA has to do is hold the competition in one of the cooler African countries.

I agree with you about holding the world cup in Qatar - my guess is - there was lots of bribing going on between some mega rich arabs and FIFA officials

Keep Fellaini, sell Heitinga, bring in Diame, Alcaraz for free then the Barca kid on loan.

We would then only have to play Osman if desperate and let the big Fella attack like he was doing early doors last season, awesome team....

"Ray, how come the buy-out clause runs out in a week or two? That seems like a stupid idea to me, but then again this is the Everton way."

I'm not sure I followed the whole discussion of this properly, but having a time limit on Fellaini's release clause is a GOOD thing from our point of view, and a sensible bit of business for once. It means we regain control over the situation as the window closes, and avoids us losing the player without being able to bring in a replacement. Once the clause has expired, we simply won't sell unless we know we can get our replacement, and Fellaini is aware of this situation so is unlikely to agitate as he's been given time to get any behind the scenes agitation done now.

Some of you seem to be basing your comments on the assumption that we want rid of him? Otherwise I'm not sure what points are being made. We want to keep him, but if we do have to sell him, we will at least be £24M better off and will have time to spend it.

"Ray, I think the interest has cooled considerably in Fellaini for some reason. Wage demands maybe?"

Is it crazy to suggest that behind the scenes he's making it known he's not that desperate to leave? Maybe there was never that much interest, just journalists making stuff up?

"Also why should Africa (an entire continent)change the timing of its bi-annual football competition just to satisfy the English Premier league fixture program?"

First of all, its the entire European season, not only the English one. Secondly, no-one is saying they should, it just makes signing African players less attractive. Thirdly, you could argue they should because all the best African players have to miss games for their clubs to play in it, when other international tournaments are timed to avoid this.

Diame is a good player. Better than Gibson for sure. Did well with West Ham last season. I'd be happy. But, then again it's TalkSport so it's a load of crap.

Phil @566

Yeah 'next season' referred to 2015 mate.

Fellaini's clause ends on August 15th, then we can either refuse any offers or, knowing Everton, accept lower offers.

They were all in at Finch Farm in the gym tonight doing an extra session, including the big Fella.

Mike Allison - The most moronic comment in Denis's post was: "(Nevermind the fact thats its bloody hot and monsoon season in large parts during the summer!)" Is Denis forgetting the vast distance the Continent of Africa stretches? Just look where Morocco is situated and where South Africa is situated - 2 very opposite ends of the hemisphere.

Perhaps Mr Richardson should take a look at a Globe before posting like a fuckwitt!

Also, wasn't the world cup held in South Africa during the summer

In response to Ray Roche 575. No!

I would like to see Diame join us. I can't understand why West Ham would have agreed to such a low buy out clause. I know he was a free agent and could negotiate hard but that seems pretty cynical. Take the signing on bonuses on offer then get another move after a year and get a load more singing on fees! I wish I had an agent!!

Mark Frere @ 659

"Also, wasn't the world cup held in South Africa during the summer "
Mark, our Summer, their Winter. (Southern Hemisphere.)

Roberto, No? Really?

He has a low buy out because they got him on a free. Precisely when we should have signed him

So, if Fellaini's clause runs out in a couple of weeks, then surely Everton then have the option to say No to any bids and the ball will be in Everton's court instead of Champions League qualifiers bidding for him.

Okay Ray, thanks for pointing that out. It just goes to show though – it really doesn't matter what time of the year the ACN is held climate wise.

Good player from the little bits I have seen of him. Good value and the fact Martinez has managed him before surely gives us an advantage.

Could people stop moaning about the fact we are signing Wigan players; so what if they have been relegated. Phil Jagielka was relegated with Sheff Utd and didn't turn out too badly.

I think the Cup of Nations is played in January because of some of the football leagues in Africa run from March to November, but some run from November to March so I could be completely wrong.

Mercenary who only tries in the big games according to three unconnected West Ham fans I know. Just the sort of 'character' we don't need I would say.

Some shocking geography knowledge on here by the way ha ha! Monsoons in Qatar?

One of my mates, a Hammers fan, rates Diame and hopes he will stay.
When I enquired about fans reaction to a possible move to Everton, he sent me the following snippets from his local forum.

"Martinez knows him from his Wigan days. No surprise there then."

"They can go and get f@kt the scouse tw@ts."

"Doubt Everton could afford his wages but I wouldn't mind getting rid of him if we're going to be threatened with losing him every 6 months. The bloke is only fit to play 70 mins anyway."

"Everton are a tad more financially sound than Wigan. There could be legs in this."

"We'll only strengthen if we keep hold of him."

Seems they're in the same boat as we are with Fellaini and Baines.

Fellaini's release clause apparently ends on August 10th.

Apparently.

Even if it does, that doesn't actually stop anyone from bidding for him, does it? Personally I think it would be good business to sell him now and use the cash for new players - while Fellaini can be a match winner, I don't think he does it often enough and is just as likely to be a liability in games as he is win them - flailing elbows, looking dis-interested, and sometimes anonymous. Unplayable on his day as we all know, but does anyone even know what position he should be playing in? He seems to think he's a defensive midfielder for some reason.

If the quotes are true, regarding the clause up around £23m then that's big money and could be used to potentially buy 3 players to replace him.

I don't know anything about the PSG player we're being linked with, but Diame is a handful, trouble is he'll be off to the African Nations which isn't ideal and he lacks consistency big-time which to my mind, is why he's cheap and plays for West Ham.

I would still be looking at Fer, although he was a Moyes target and not a Martinez one so it's doubtful but I like him a lot.

One player who I can't get out of my head (not in that way), is Deulofeu from Barcelona - only a loan deal I know, but the kid has bags of talent, and would be a fine young addition even if only for one season. We should be going all out for him - plus it would be a really good relationship-building exercise between our Spanish manager, and club with Barcelona.

In our current situation, it's worth noting that without selling we're unlikely to be able to spend big so loan deals should still be a priority if we're being sensible, and not looking at these deals with our Football Manager games heads on.

Kind of get the feeling Kenwright was looking for someone to activate the clause as they'd take the £23m.

It would therefore be too embarrassing to wait until the clause expires, and people start bidding £15m to then take it.

I think we should keep him anyway, he's a proven match winner and better than 'the next big thing' anyday.

Well, if his release clause does indeed end on the 10th August James, clubs might be able to buy him cheaper. We need to sell him before then.

Aah Ross, you're still with us, I was beginning to worry.

Did you want to take me up on that tenner re Zaha? :-)

Oh and Ross - I did say selling him now would be the best idea. In case you didn't read beyond the first few words....

James - Ross has apologised this morning on the 'Last Season and Next' thread. Fair play to him. You should therefore stop baiting him - otherwise it seems like you're looking for a fight.

Kev - always light hearted from me, I'm not baiting him, He can be pretty aggressive on here you know. I don't pick fights, just offered up a friendly bet is all :-)

OK, James. It was your second post (779) that seemed a bit provocative, not the first. What's the bet, anyway? I can't see it on this thread.

It was on another thread, about Zaha coming to us on loan next season. I said he won't.

Perhaps we should move on though, for the sake of harmony.

I am told by an Arsenal source that Felli wants to go to Arsenal but Wenger will only go to £20 million and £80k per week wages whereas his buyout clause is £23M and Felli wants £100k per week.

The situation is in stalemate with Wenger looking at other options and Felli prepared to run his contract down.

Expect Bill and Felli to cave in before mid August.

All that is certain is NOTHING is certain.

Correct me if I'm wrong here.....

If Fellaini's buy-out clause ends on August 10th, we no longer have to accept £24m or whatever it is.... no?

So we can hold out for more... not less? The buy-out clause is there for him, not us; let it run out. He can twiddle his thumbs until 2016(?) if he wants.

Mike, yes normally but remember who is control at this club. I personally still think he will stay.

Mike, we have the fella who said that he wouldn't sell Rooney for £50m in charge. To be fair to him, he didn't, he sold him for half that.

I'd be happy to take you up James....

Good points well made Andrew and Tony!

Either way I don't think the clause running out, if it does, is a big issue. I'm with you Andrew I think he'll be with us next season simply because there doesn't seem to be that much appetite from other clubs to take a punt on him for the sort of money we are asking - and no doubt the personal terms he'd be looking for too.

Cool, Ross. So the bet is that Zaha does or doesn't come to us on loan for next season, a tenner?

Fair play on the apology on the other thread by the way.

Mike #846m then that means we have to sell a different player to get some funds for any more new signings, and we've only had an offer for one player.

I think they are happy to sell Fellaini,if so can they get pro active rather than reactive.
It is obvious that clubs will wait until the clause lapses.
A statement along the lines of "the £24 million fee was at the request of Fellaini and his agent,our valuation is more like £30 million" ought to do it.

Mike Green @ 807

"So we can hold out for more... not less?"
Mike, if clubs aren't willing to pay£ 23m for Fellaini they aren't likely to pay more. I still think that Bungling Bill will take whatever he can get for him and tell us that it was Fellaini wanting to go.

Absolutely James, bring it on. Zaha is 100% a Martinez type player and he'd be a great addition.

*A great addition if we sign him.

He has a heart condition which requires him to have a defibrillator nearby... Hence the £3.5M price tag.

He sometimes cannot complete 90 minutes for this reason.

I would worry during derby games of course but he is a young, quick, powerful and often times exciting box to box midfielder. Barcelona, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool have all shown an interest in the past. If his heart holds out he would be an excellent signing.

Great, a bloody ticking time bomb. He allegedly has one of those Haribo Starmix gummy hearts.

He does look a very good player though.

Diame or whomever as long as he's quick and strong. The midfield is crying out for that kind of player

I'm interested to know what CHD he has?

If it's Mitral regurge or an erratic beat, having a defib kit to hand is a sensible precaution only. It MIGHT be required for over exertion. If it's anything more serious I doubt he would get a registration to play, his insurance premiums would be massive for a start..

I think RM allowed his contract to run down at Wigan to get him off the wage bill, he played 96 times for them in 3 years so was quite important to them. He's on £50k at WHU, I wouldn't want us to pay him that. (We didn't bother to go for Demba Ba due to wage demands.)

If a concrete offer for Fellaini comes in then yes, otherwise I say no.