£12M for McCarthy is £8M too low?!?!

According to the Mirror website, the youngsters may have to wait a while longer for their chance to break into the first team. But with no sources, no direct quotes etc it is the usual mid summer madness that is seen in this piece which says that RM has to up his £12m offer for James McArthy by at least £8m but that the asking price of £14m for Juve Forward Allessndro Matri is too much. They also say that we missed out on Wanyama who signed for Southampton. Now as a seasoned Blue, I cannot see how, even if Felli and Baines are sold, that BK can get that sort of money to buy these players — obviously not all of them... but any single one of them at the prices being asked.

Just seen that, £20 mill for McCarthy??? We're not the RS under King Kenny ffs!

No, no, no, no, no more Wigan players!

And there was me thinking £12 million was £8 million too much.

Emmerson Boyce and Gary Caldwell are still up for grabs.... almost comical but not at all funny.

If it is that much why didn't we go for Fer?? Norwich's got him now.

What The Fer??!!

Why didn't we go for Fer. Maybe because of his knee, perhaps too similar to Fellaini, maybe we can't afford him or most probably cos RM in not interested in him.

The Road to Wigan's Dear.

Sorry.

This obsession with Fer is annoying. If he was that good and only £4 don't you think Moyes would have been in for him? He was a Moyes buy, not a Martinez buy. We'll see first game just how good he is, but the fact that only Norwich were in for him says perhaps he isn't all that.

Norwich are getting in some good players (Wolfswinkel, Fer, Redmond), good luck to them! Perhaps Fer isn't the new Viera he is cracked up to be, or more clubs would have been after him! Only time will tell. I agree with the posters who say he was a Moyes target and RM was probably not interested anyway, so it doesn't appear that we have 'missed out' on him!

I reckon the press is being mischievous by linking us with another Wigan player.
We surely can do better if we were going to spend 12mil on a player..That is if we had that kind of money in the first place.

I can't see us making any big money signings unless we sell Fellaini or Baines. Surely the majority of our budget has already been spent. Perhaps selling Heitinga and Naismith would give us enough to get Diame in, but I can't see much more transfer activity, ber loans and freebies!

How is Duelofue pronounced? I've only seen it written.

Drew, if that's the majority of our budget £1.4m for a keeper (allegedly) and £5-£6m for Kone plus possibly a fee for the Barca kid, well that to me adds up to the Fer money, we should now still have some TV funds, until I remembered this is Everton under BK.

I'll go along with that Suresh. If we're going to spend £12 million, surely there's better than McCarthy. We haven't got £12 million anyway.

Ged #474 especially if you're down and out in Liverpool.

McCarthy was statistically one of the best all round midfielders in the Premiership last season in terms of passes completed, tackles won, ground covered etc...Having said that if Wigan are asking for £20m that is clearly ridiculous. Would have thought anything above £8m was extremely generous.

Bit gutted we lost out on Fer who seemed a deal at £4.5m and I think we could use some more power in the middle of the park. I think Spurs may be a force next season with Sandro, Dembele and Paulinho if they stay fit a colossal central midfield with skill to boot.

My one worry is that our team (fellaini apart) look a bit small in stature this season. Hopefully we will see some better football but I hope we won't be bullied by the likes of Stoke and West Ham.

Terry I too, do not know the correct pronunciation of "Gerard Duelofue".
Another Blue website call him "Gezza".

Saw the pronunciation broke down as Du-lo-fu if that helps at all?!

And.....whilst were on about crazy transfer prices.......how is it that apparently the ITK types in the printed and social media all seem to think that Baines will either sign a new deal OR be sold to Utd for £18m ? How is £18m a realistic price ? Baines the arguably the best left back in the country and certainly the stats for last season show him as the ost creative defender in Europe. £18m ? He's worth every bit as much as Fellani at the buyout clause of £23.5m

No matter what the financial pressure, selling Baines is utterly crazy, its without any justification as Baines is simply not the behind the scenes, or publicly for that matter, kind of agitator that was Joleon Lescott and he doesn't have Fellani's dad for an agent. We don't need £18m for our best player of the last decade. Selling Felli for £23.5m is obviously different as until 14/8 that clause in his contract makes it more likely than not he's leaving and then we can reinvest £12m of that, with I suspect the rest going to the bank.

I am getting obsessed by this Baines nonsense but its eating away at me that anyone can think selling him makes sense.

No wonder Dave the Peg Whelan made his fortune flogging trackies and trainers at over inflated prices,when he values James McCarthy at £20m! To be honest I had never seen or heard of him before Roberto made him into the player he is! Having said that I don't think he is worth anywhere near that sort of valuation!

McManaman = McAteer MkII = too much hype and too much money

I agree with Stuart Gray, over the years we've been linked with "must-buy" players e.g. M'bia, Fernandes, Sessegnon, the Albanian/Marseilles player, Wagner Love, Jo etc........and most, if not all, have gone to other prem teams and turned out to be utter shite. Fer could be another one of these. Yes, Norwich are getting players (Fer, Redmond) who the press had us linked to but, mark my words, Norwich will still be in a relegation struggle come April May.

£750,K would buy Mickel Diskerud from Rosenburg.

Age 22, just over 6', he patrols the centre midfield and goes box to box.
Right footed but also uses his left. A terrific passer of the ball.
5 caps for the USA. Mum or dad a Yank.

Twice in the past week I've watched the USA in a big Utah tournament. Mainly to see Landon Donovan and S. Holden.
In both games this lad Diskerud (roo) has been outstanding.

Still a bit raw-boned, someone will take him away from Rosenburg, strengthen him up and turn him into a real good player.

Donovan supported the striker but is better on the wing. Holden is very sharp but has not regained his touch. Replaced by Diskerud at halftime.

On the other stuff. I don't want this Wigan lad.
Fellaini and Baines are training like they are not going anywhere. Non of it makes sense. Is this the normal way of doing things ?

Mad figures quoted and in all honesty the limited TV showings leaves me wondering why the hype ?

With Harold on this there's loads of players out there for a lot less we shouldn't be going above 5m for anyone.

He is worth 18million because he is a 28 year old left back...to us he is crucial...more crucial than any left back in the world (who I know of) to any other team. There was alot of complaining on here because we signed Kone for 5mil at 29...well Baines is only a year off. United only paid 23mil is for Van Persie, so I don't think18mil, in any respect, is an outrageous fee objectively. Personally though, I'd still turn it down, because he is so important to us. I'd rather see Fellaini go, although I believe in the right circumstances he could turn into a truly world class player. I think his loss is inevitable at some point, and I believe we could improve the team/squad more effectively, if we buy right.

Anyone seen Chantome of PSG play?
Got told we are looking at him.

Jim (518) I totally agree with what you say on the merits of retaining Baines, he is far more consistent than most in the team,which brings me to Fellaini hmm! On his day,he is almost unstoppable, however those days are too far apart for my liking, coupled with his various comments over the period he has been with us about leaving etc.( bit of a mercenary) On the other hand Leighton Baines never complains,and just gets on with it with being consistent! I think we can/could replace Fellaini depending on whether he stays/ goes. I wish it could be sorted one way or the other,although I think he has done himself no favours with Everton Fans who have good memories!

Ignore! Alan Nixon integrity personified. The journalist who had shares in Paul stretford's proactive sports agency whilst at the same time writing transfer stories regarding stretford's players up in the papers for sale. I wouldn't trust anything this guy writes.

Paul. Yes. I've watched him quite a bit on ESPN.
He plays on the right side of midfield. An academy lad competing with expensive signings.Some times gets left out when they go straight down the middle to the big fella. This is why Beckham went ahead of him a few times.

The French press love the lad. Technically brilliant with bags of stamina and a great work ethic. Does exactly what he is asked to do and never complains. Exactly the kind of character Martinez is always going on about.

Right now PSG is overloaded with midfielders and he needs regular games in order to be considered for the World Cup squad.

Harold and Sam, thanks: Dulofu sounds good but Gezza certainly has a ring to it

Harold,

Thanks mate.
I will keep an eye out for him.

Terry Davies et al.
his name is pronounced du-el-o-fer.
and please can we stop this silliness of tagging za onto the end of everything.

Terry

I think you need to lean to write his name before you worry about pronunciation.

Steve

Agree with your frustrations...but not your phonetics.

Deulofeu : Deyu-lo-fey-oo

http://www.forvo.com/word/deulofeu/

"McManaman = McAteer MkII" Bizarre comparison. Have even watched McManaman play? He is a forward/winger for one thing. McAteer was a RB who could play RM at a push. I hope we do sign him up. The perfect player to bring on with his electric pace when players are tiring. We do not have anyone who is that quick.

Wigan are playing hard ball but no one will pay that and these players won't want to play in the Championship. They will go for much less come deadline day you can bet on that.

I think if RM looks out of Wigan he could find more players like Deulofeu(the only non Wigan signing yet).
Robles cost us 650k, personally I haven't seen him perform but hope he is a good keeper(heard otherwise).
Couple more loan players maybe, they're young and have something to prove. I welcome them to our great club.
Back to McCarthy = Good player - Ridiculous price tag

James Stewart,

Kone and Mirallas are quick mate

Good!

If Wigan want £20M for him then surely that will save Everton a minimum of £12M on a lad I wouldn't splash £8M on.

Roberto's next signings MUST be to extend the squad in quality NOT numbers alone.

Signing "just as good as we have already" isn't a way forward, it's seeking repetition.

The Alcaraz signing is a common sense, low cost squad signing. Kone just better work out, 'cos I rate that as about "all his value". Robles I think is small money well spent, I like the look of him AND he was forcing his way into the Wigan side. 22 is nursery school for a keeper.
Deulofeu on loan? CRACKER, that is exciting news. EVERYONE around the game, coaches and journos that have commented are genuinely excited by him. That'll do me.

I want Bainesy and Felli at "The Old Lady" next season, I'm not arsed about coining up then bringing in some cut priced replacement. What happens then?

We have to face em twice a season.......NO WAY!

IF there are better/similar prospects out there then why aren't the "Checkbook Charlies" after them instead?

Lets not waste millions on players who have had one good season. That's Fat Brenda's job...

Lads, McCarthy is worth a class act and anybody who says that he has had only one good season is not watching football. In the main it was McCarthy who drove Wigan on in previous seasons to avoid relegation. He is the perfect replacement for Heitinga but playing in a defensive midfield role protecting our aging back four.

I have seen some threads about ours is the best back four in the Premier League and wonder who is fooling who, it wasn't until the tail end of the season that we began to keep regular clean sheets. Have you not forgotten all those late goals which we gave up for draws.? Had we not conceded those late goals we would have been competing for that Champions League spot.

And to add fuel to fire we also urgently need a young footballing center half to complete the spine of the squad. All other additions should be squad players and I include cover at right back in that list. Sorry Hibbo.

I have been told, by a fairly reliable source, that we will be bringing in more players in the next few days/weeks. Apparently, Martinez was given a £10-12m initial budget and has spent £5m on Kone (+1.5m in add-ons) and €1m for Robles, leaving between 4-7m left to use without selling any of our players. Obviously if someone like Heitinga leaves that will increase his transfer kitty, hence why we are still being linked to players like Honda, Diame, Malanda etc....

Colin - is this the same source as told you about Baines' contract renewal?

Or was it Madeleine Stowe and some of your mates from Jupiter?

Pluto Kev, Pluto.
Baines will be staying, you can bet your house on it. Felli might go but nothing has been decided. Heitinga will probably leave in a swap deal, plus cash, for Alderwiereld. You read it here first and can book mark this.

Do you live on Pluto yourself, Colin? I suspect so.

I hope he's got a big coat. It's -400 degrees or something isn't it? I don't know how he generates all this hot air.

"Baines will be staying"......."Fellaini might go"......"Heitinga will probably leave in a swap deal plus cash for Alderwierald"

Lot of mights and probablies there Col.
Is your source only half in the know?

Headache today Paul?

Yes,no sleep worrying about the savage attack you made on my character.

The free Horlicks you offered me may have helped.
Typical Yorkshire mingebag withdrew your offer.

All I can say is it's a mate who I went to school with. He's a local journo and despite not covering sports he does go to the local boozers with the ones who do. I shall say no more.

Colin,
If he works for the Echo don't believe a word he says.

He's usually quite good Paul but as you say.....

Paul, there is quick and then there is pace. Distin is probably our quickest player, that says it all. McManaman is Navas quick. Pace that you can't defend against scares even the best defenders out there to death.

James we could sign Powell or Gay.they won't be busy for a few years.

James, I reckon Oviedo might just be our quickest player.

Is that nick Powell and marvin gay?

'Paul there is quick and then there is pace.

What's the difference?

Distin probably may just be our fastest player but I don't think that's such a bad thing. Can anyone remember Distin being outpaced by anyone else in the league? His acceleration is very good and his top speed is right up there with the quickest. I recall him beating Walcott more than once.

Coleman is very fast. Mirallas accelerates well and is pretty quick. Oviedo is pacey. With the additions of Kone and Deulofeu we actually have speed in abundance for the first time in about a decade.

Why not produce a Bolt from the Blue eh Paul??

'Probably may'

That didn't make much sense did it.

Diame wants to stay at WHU. Well he can sod off then!!

James McCarthy is a brilliant player. He's been excellent for 2 seasons now it's just that he plays for an unfavourable team that isn't one of the media darlings.

I'd have him alongside Felli (or instead of Felli should he be sold) any day of the week