Agent confirms Everton interest in Ajax defender

Yes it's someone we're desperately short of a centre half/right back. Get him signed we need two players for every position apart from centre half/right back where the aim is 10 players for that position !

I really don't think this lad will go for anywhere near £6M or more, not when he's only got a year left on his deal and wants out of Ajax!.

He nearly joined Leverkusen this summer for £4.3M. Maybe Ajax are trying there luck knowing all Premier League clubs came into more money this summer?.

He would be a good signing but I do think we need to ship out Heitinga first as soon as possible for us to have any chance of signing Alderweireld.
.

Presumably this is only a goer if Heitinga leaves, which I think alot of people expected he would but looks less certain now. Alderweireld would definitely be an upgrade but more concerned about the middle of the park.

I thought Heitinga would be out like a rocket but now I'm not so sure. A swap deal, plus cash, would be our best bet.

I agree Sam @ 210, Centre Mid is desperately short. Gibbo makes such a difference, but he's been injury prone... plus CM is a combat zone so cards are inevitable.

Despite what almost everyone says, I believe that CM is Fellaini's home slot. Big lad in front of the back line, then a late arrival when we are attacking. I know Roberto has replaced departures, but personally I want a bigger 1st team squad maybe 2 more and first would be a centre mid. (New signings don't always work out, and CM is where we are thinnest, bit of competition or a eplacement wouldn't harm.)

Maybe the answer is a prospect plus a freebie or oanie? I have no worry about taking players on loan with a buy option, frankly it makes absolute sense to me. If they work, we buy; if they spend all night in the boozer, we don't.

We probably need a central defender too, Distin is amazing for his age and Jags is what every manager wants from a CD, heart on the line, but if Distin gets a knock then maybe he won't be back. (Remember Richard Gough?)

Sadly it seems the signs are that Duffy isn't quite the complete modern centre-half; good strong lad and a stopper but these days the CH wish-list includes:

Heart
Pace
Aerial Ability
Touch
Bravado
Brain
Patience
Indestructability...

A long list I know, but look at our best qualities of each of our cetre-halves and central defenders; is what the ask-list needs for us to step up. Or at least as many boxes ticked as possible, or rather no crosses, at least a "maybe"...

Going back a while, can you imagine being able to pop Ratters 'n' Mountie into the current squad? FFS, that "matched pair" would be £100M worth!

Would be a good long term signing. Distin won't last forever, Jagielka is 30 as is Alcaraz, and Heitinga is 29 though could well be leaving anyway.
Not to mention Martinez does like a back three.
Wouldn't necessarily be overstocked there.

Is this the guy who said no to Norwich and the RS are interested in?. He's Belgian isn't he?.
I agree with Colin, Heitinga may see a move back home attractive with this lad teaming up with two fellow Belgians. I said on another thread Caulker leaving Spurs for £8M is daft money. Heitinga must be worth £4m?

Stiil believe Evertons priority is a Arteta/Mata type of midfielder rather than spending what little funds the club are supposed to have on a defender in a position we seem to have coverage for.
In regards to funds didnt our beloved chairman( pardon me while I cough ) state that funds would be made available.

If this were true then I could imagine Heitinga being part of the deal. Heitinga has been saying he wants to finish his career at Ajax, they'd be losing a centre back, it'd be more affordable for us. Still don't see it happening. I'd rather we signed a tough tackling midfielder anyway.

Belgians seem to be the way to go at the moment, De Bruyne, Hazard and Lukaku at Chelsea, Chadli, Dembele and Vertonghen at Spurs, Kompany at City, Benteke at Villa and of course Felli and Super Kev for us.

I'd be delighted if we sign him.

Belgium are going to win the World Cup next year, they have the best talent in the world at the moment for me.

Of course he is Marc because in Holland they like to play out from the back in their Total Football method of playing, and under De Boer, who I frequently touted for the manager's job in the weeks after Moyes' departure, Ajax play some good stuff.

I'd like to see this happen. We need cover beyond Alcaraz. Heitinga looked terrible against Real... their forwards were blowing past him so fast that he must have second-degree windburn on his ass, and his passing was horrendous.

And it's interesting we haven’t seen a glimpse of Duffy...looks like Martinez’ assessment of him is the same as Moyes'.

Mike

You'd think that, being a Dutchman, Heitinga would be able to pass a ball, wouldn't you?

Mike

I can't see Duffy getting much of a sniff of first team football under Martinez, his distribution simply isn't good enough. I think if Duffy wants to reach the standard of being a regular Premiership starter, he will have to go to a club like Stoke where passing from the back isn't a vital quality.

I think Stoke won't be a rugby team anymore under Hughes Mark, I'm sure he'll advocate a more passing style than Pulis did.

Ross, you missed Vermaelen at Arsenal!

Ah, thanks James. Totally forgot about him for a second, it seems Wenger has too as I haven't seen him play for ages.

Injured a lot Ross I think.

Shame, Arsenal needed him towards the end of the season, as Mertesacker runs like a snail sliming through custard whilst in super slow motion.

Absolutely Mark, but I was listing the increased numbers of Belgians moving to the Premier League, but I do agree that they are quality players.

Johnny Heitinga as a make-weight would be a good choice.

I have never seen this guy... but, if he's got a lot of interest in him, he must be able.

Mark - Defour - what a great player I has forgotten all about him. We definately need a quality centre midfielder as we've never replaced Arteta.

I don't think McCarthy is the answer, somebody in the Carzola mold. I know they're hard to find but hopefully RM has somebody up his sleeve.

Is Alderweirald a regular starter at Ajax at the moment? If he is, why would he move just to sit on the bench behind our regular centre backs? If the guy is this good then you would be buying him to start. It would mean dropping Distain or Jags and promoting him over Alcaraz as well. The guy is also twenty six, he will want regular games.

He is actually 24.I think he would be our new RB if we actually got him.He plays RB for Belgium but plays CB for Ajax.

Don't we already have a CB/RB in the form of Stones? Unless he's coming in to phase out Distin and Heitinga (who I thought fit well into RM's system against Madrid - albeit with a couple of errors, but it is still pre-season), I don't see the point.

Do like the new away kit by the way, but for the shit badge I'd defo purchase one of them.

In keeping with the ever changing nature of this thread; I see Naismith is talking at length about his confidence problems last season and how he is generally a slow starter at clubs. He acknowledges being the boo-boy and talks about being fitter, better and more confident going into next season.

He also says he hopes his used in a more suited role and seems to intimate he was stuck out wide and left to flounder out there. I hope he has more to offer, I really do. We all know though that the minute he gives the ball away against Norwich we'll be moaning and groaning.

Can we give them Heitinga even if they don’t give us Toby? ;)

Oh and about this guy... Would be a great buy... I think Distin should be phased out this year... Antolin might be decent but any purchase a young quality player is only good... Sorts is out properly in the next few years

I think getting this guy from Ajax is a really positive move, perhaps Johnny will go the other way? For the first time in a long time I am hopeful that we will be playing more attractive football than I have seen for the last 15-20 years. I know Martinez has his detractors on here because of Wigans relegation. But Moyes got a chance at Everton he had never won anything or managed in the premiership and he got 11 years with the last 4 or 5 paid at £3 million a year!

From what I seen so far we will be more exciting to watch. PS The away kit is the best we have had in many year at least it is distinctive and might help our marketing as well.

Colin #363, yes there was mate, as far as I remember it was a decent percentage too.

Also don't forget the sell-on agreement is with the club not the player so the clause never lapses.

Iain – I think Caulker going for £8 million is a better deal for Cardiff than Spurs. He was exceptional for Swansea, and is easily one of the best young cb's in this league. I am assuming Spurs sold to part fund Soldado and because of their agreement for the transfer of Chiriches, which has subsequently fallen through.

Personally, I don't we can afford this guy, but I would love to see him come in. Although, if the stories are true, it suggests Heitinga is leaving, or perhaps more worringly, a bigger asset.

Also, Kieran/Jarrod.

He will come in as a cb, and likely form a three man system with Jags and Distin, with Baines and Coleman either side. If we played two, he'd displace Distin, but unfortunately, I think we will be starting with the season with 3 centre backs

As for the Ajax lad. Being such a good footballer he could probably play defensive midfield but centre or right side of a back three would be ideal. He's far too right footed to replace Distin.

I agree with Tony re attributes for a CD but also the following:
1. Pizzazz
2. Abracadabra
3. Reach out and grab ya
4. Jiggery pokery
5. Tomfoolery (a 'nice to have' but not essential)
6. Up and at 'em
7. Get up and go
8. that little bit extra
9. drop of the shoulder
10. there is no 10, nine is enough.

So, does that mean our transfer pot for this year was IRO £8M for new players? Less than half of the new T.V. money for this season!

I know we tried to get Luca Marrone on a loan deal, but were knocked back, so I'm curious to know if anyone thinks we have anything left to spend?

Sickening to see us being outspent again, with Spurs splashing out over £50m, and we are looking for loans again.

Kevin, when ONM signed up BK said he could have all the money he raises from player sales plus what OFM was going to get.

So I guess OFM was going to get £8M.

Forget about the TV money, that's ringfenced.

Spurs always have millions to spend. We having virtually nothing, I've got used to it now, I don't know why other people still get vexed - this is the shitty reality of life with Blue Bill.

Who knows what Kenwright meant when he said he'd give Martinez some money to spend - perhaps Robles and Kone have already soaked that up.

Eric, I even think the Kone transfer was financed with the money saved from OFM's massive wage, and the other incomings with wages saved from Neville, Mucha, Hitz etc.

I suppose we will have to wait until the window is shut, but I would be surprised if we brought anyone else in barring loans & sales before Sept. 2nd.

Maybe the extra £15-20m (depending on live showings) has gone towards operating costs, so we don't have to take out another pay-day loan with Vibrac?

Now pack it in before you start.
Always remember Bill is a great Evertonian.
Rather have him than someone who would give us transfer budget but is not a Blue.
Be careful what you wish for.

David. He won't replace Distin. This lad is very right footed.
Couldn't agree terms with Norwich. Like a lot of Belgiums he's probably chasing big money and they will all know what Fellaini's on.

Guys, Tottenham are owned (majority shareholder) by a BILLIONAIRE, that is what gives them the extra spends.

Guys, Tottenham are owned (majority shareholder) by a BILLIONAIRE, that is what gives them the extra spends.

If we want to be pedantic, we have a billionaire shareholder, who doesn't want to give us exta spends...

We also have other rich share holders who don't want to put a single penny into the club. There was a report not too long ago that had Everton quite high up the the EPL in terms of shareholders combined wealth. Grantchester won't put a penny though form what I heard, he does not like the way the club is currently being run, he was much more onside with Gregg apparently. Sounds like a bit of a wimp in the business world really.

Hi Harold, agree its not like for like. I am seeing Antolin in his slot and this chap on the right side.. Very interesting write up in sabotage times.

David. I agree. Distin is a walking miracle for his age but if he picks up a knock he could be out for a while and Antolin would be the only natural replacement. The Ajax lad is a terrific right footed defender but has other qualities which Martinez might want to utilize.
Of course all this depends on flogging someone.

I see OFM is now back in for Fellaini but, wait for it, doesn't think he's worth the £23.5m release clause!! What's he going to do? Offer us £10m like he did for Leighton? Cheeky get. I see he's starting to crumble under the media glare and is looking increasingly uncomfortable and out of his depth.
Btw, I hope we get Toby.

Thanks Colin. I hadn't heard that. Not good news at all. Maybe that's why the big fella is trotting around like someone trying to convince Martinez he'd be better off without him.

It's mentioned in Wednesdays gossip column on BBC ceefax who say the Mirror are running the story - they should know - Mr Moyes also will be well aware of what the buy out clause does or doesn't say and will no exactly when it expires.

The Daily Star - are running a story that Fiorentina are set to enter the race with Everton and make a bid for Jorginho a 21 year old midfielder who plays for Hellas Verona.

I must admit I'm changing my position on Felliani who I'd previously been against selling.
I know it's only pre-season, but he seems far less commanding with Martinez structure/tactics than under Moyes. If we could move him on for close to £23M and pick up 2 midfielders in his stead (McCarthy + 1 other), I think that would be good business. Also would increase chances of retaining Baines.