Barry linked with Goodison loan switch

No thanks. Try looking in Scotland, Celtic maybe, oh yeah Joe Ledley... come on down lad!

This would be a very good sensible move. Exactly the kind of player we need. A full season with us would do no harm for his World Cup chances.

I don't think it would be a bad move,before everyone jumps on me,he has vast experience,can win a ball,can pass,has got a goal or two in him! It would only be a loan initially as I understand. He was captain at Villa,before moving to City for a hefty fee,was an England regular,until recently.It's beginning to look like we don't have a transfer budget to speak of.
I know he's 32 or something,but I remember getting a similar aged player from City,who turned out to be a revelation,in Paul Power (albeit he was bought) it's a case of, half a loaf is better than none at all!

For a loan, I'd be happy. I'd take him.

Poor player way past his supposed best we should avoid like the plague.

I don't think it would be a bad signing but don't believe it. Just because sky bet have it at good odds. We are 1/1 to sign Mccarthy and unless Felli goes that is not happening.

If Fellaini and Baines are staying put and we don't have any more money to spend, this would be a very sensible option

I have it on good authority that this is likely to happen... and very soon.

I'm speaking to my agent tomorrow ..... I promise you lot will be first to know.

Solid DM player. Could be a good deal for both parties.

Well Sean, we should be used to it. We had a well past its best midfield for most of last season.

I don't think he would do anything for us..we don't want off casts..only the best will do..all the moaning about the crest and we are settling for over the hill has beens!

I don't think he would do anything for us..we don't want off casts..only the best will do..all the moaning about the crest and we are settling for over the hill has beens!

As a loan signing maybe, He's not the quickest but knows how to tackle and can pass a ball. I wonder if Milner is surplus to requirements also?

Iain, there are limits

Colin #800, I think most people on here do not conflate the issue of the badge with the state of affairs on the pitch. In fact I am sure I saw at least one contributor posting his opinion, separately mind, on both issues.

I would love Milner - but your talking £8M and £100k p/w. he's not worth that.

I think we shouldnt buy anyone else and offer Rooney 150000 grand a week on a twelve month loan and bring the youth through with a clause of a 25 million buy out if we qualify for europe.

Surely Milner isn't on £100k Phil is he? For playing for 20 minutes doing zilch?

Matt..I think Martinezs plan for us isn't some old crock drawing a wage..we need to get away from the mentality of players like Barry or Hitzlsperger..we need to play it on the floor with flair..not in the air.

He is mate. They paid nearly £30M for him too remember. Scary.

Just think Phil, with that £30 million they wasted in 2010, they could have bought David Villa.

Bloody hell Phil is that right?, I'm surprised the RS didn't buy him then sell him for £3m!!

Or £3.50 Iain...

This would be a very good deal. He has great experience, passing ability and reputation. A sign of progress.

What is Milner's role in ether the City team or God help us England?

He sits between the kitman and the physio on the bench Andrew.

Good one Ross.

Milner wouldn't get into Everton's team. He is like Naismith on fast forward

He'd make a good cup of tea Andrew, that's about it.

These rich guys don't die for the cause.

As Marvin Hagler once stated..." It's hard to get up and jog at dawn when you're wearing silk pyjamas."

I'd have Barry in a shot. He's a good player and we are desperate for mid fielders. Of course I'd much rather have Iniesta but we already have his English cousin Osman who is much better.

Harold ( 846 )
Surely if we got him,he would be wearing the Everton kit!

TBH if I had a choice between Barry and Barton, I really wouldn't want either for different reasons, I would choose Barton as he is a better player than Barry. I don't think that Barry could do the same job as Carsley did when he was here and he seems like just another quiet man. We need a leader in the middle of the park, someone with a bit about them and obviously who can play a bit as well. But there aren't many about and we probably couldn't afford one if there was.

Some strange views of Milner on here. He's wasted on the wing but I remember him singlehandedly driving Aston Villa to high league finishes from central midfield. England also looked a lot better when he came on the other night in his correct position and started moving the ball quicker than the strollers Gerrard and Lampard. Sat alongside Gibson he'd be a good driving forced in midfield and with Barkley ahead of him would make for an athletic skilful hard midfield 3.

No way Barton is better than Barry. Barry was first choice for a whole season for City and England when City won the title, he can't be that bad. If it was between having him or not having no-one then the extra body is always better.

James

Single handedly?

Ashley Young? Agbonlahor up front? Downing on the wing? Laursen in defence? Friedel in goal? Barry as well? John Carew?

Not a one man team for sure.

Derek, maybe Rat Boy would think twice about raking his studs down the calf of Marvin Hagler

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Please god no. He's fat, slow, on a massive wedge and is more of a crab than Rodwell.

Let's not be too literal Ross (I'm sure in all your ranting baout Moyes you never overexaggerated anything) Milner was the star in that team (he was clearly making even Downing look good). There were loads of games they were stumbling and he'd come up with a goal or assist from midfield. At the time I thought he could have been the replacement for Gerrard or Lampard but then he sold out and was exiled on the wing for both club and country.

Barry is highly rated by city fans and is good at breaking up opposition attacks and starting our own off. Basically a skill that only Gibson does for us and even that is quite rare. The two of them sat together could make a good pair of distributors from centre mid whilst providing a sturdy defensive wall. I'd certainly trust the positional nous of Barry in that defensive position than Fellaini who just goes walkabout.

There was a lot of negativity over Gibson when he was rumoured to be joining us, now he's one of the first name son the teamsheet. I think Barry could potentially work out the same.

Mark ( 854 )
Good point! I take it Marvin Hagler would be in the blue corner!

This would be a good move, we all know Gibson is injury prone so Barry would be an excellent back up in that position, he's also a year younger than Gerrard so I'm not to worried about that,I hope this happens.

Good player in a position where we need someone but this is a little unimaginative - feels like a lazy link.

Having said that RM has proved to be unimaginative in the extreme so far in his dealings so perhaps this isn't too far fetched, would certainly be convenient for the player if he didn't think he was going to play much up the road.

Another aging centre midfielder, just what we do not need!!

Not one of my favourite players, and I wouldn't want him on a permanent deal, unless he comes in and does an amazing job, but for a loan deal this could be a great move for Everton and for Barry in a World Cup year. We desperately need a defensive midfielder and to get an England international with other 50 caps and nearly 500 premier league appearances we would have the final position covered.

It may only be a stop gap, but if he sees us through to next season when we can bring in a younger player on a permanent deal what's not to like?

Just been reading up on him on Wikipedia and found out he's from my home town of Hastings, though he went to the rival school. He's only a few years younger than me so I'm surprised I never heard about him, especially as I had friends back then who were Seagulls fans. You learn something new every day!

Drew 862
Deulofeu seems like a pretty imaginative signing to me. Roubles seems like a good move too. I think Kone was a necessary purchase as we needed a proven goalscorer to rival Jelavic and Alcaraz was a pregmatic move. So far I think his signings have been good, considering the restrictions he is working under.

For some wierd reason I thought you were talking to yourself then Drew!!

Having 50 plus caps for England doesn't say much as P Neville was one of those illustrious internationals.

I'll never forget the german game a few years back when he tried to put on foot in front of the other at more than walking speed. He failed and an an averagely paced German chap went past him and set up the 3rd (or 4th) German goal.

Another vastly overated England "star" to joing the countless others. I guess he'd be quite a difficult man to beat though due to his immense girth which could benefit us.

Surely there is better out there, even on loan. Can we not look at a player with an option to buy with a price already negotiated?? Hate Moyes all you want but this is one area he frequently got right. Try before you buy. Sadly, if you haven't guessed, Barry isn't for me

Bloody i-phone, apologies for spelling mistakes

Barry could be a Peter Reid signing for us. I remember fans saying he was slow, old, injury prone etc etc. He became a legend!!! He'd do a great job for us.

Milner? We can do better.

Milner? We can still do better!

Yes, great loan move if there's any truth in it. Which their isn't.

Tony #875 - after that match it was reported that 'milk turns faster than Gareth Barry'. :D

I would rather we go for Manny Fernandez who is available cheaply apparently.

He IMO is exactly what we need linking defense and attack.

Tony Bell @855, were you describing me?, uncanny!. Oh hang on, no. I don't have crabs!

Tony Bell

That 'averagely paced German' was Mesut Ozil.

He went past Barry easier that Benteke did Heitinga. Ozil is bloody quick though.

Would have been a brilliant signing ten years ago.

We desperately need cover in central midfield and Barry is an intelligent player with a good range of passing and probably desperate to reclaim an England place. Would be a very sensible loan signing in my view if perhaps not the most exciting.

Colin #813, I agree, but honestly this is just a rumour, put out cos the media's realised Gibson's crocked (again) and we're likely short after they (the media) have sold Fellaini to OFM.

I mean, with some of these players we're linked with, we could come up with a team to rival that left by Smith!

Phil, if it was Ozil then yes he is bloody quick, but Barry would struggle to even challenge other less than fleet footed individuals such as Osman and Heitinga. Imagine watching that race.

He may do a job for us but there must be a young, hungry (not hungry in the same way Gareth must always be) players out there. It feels like we've got the Barca lad and then been told you can't bring anyone else from clubs more than 30 miles away (robles with his Wigan contacts).

Couldn't hurt unless RM has someone else in mind.

The way things stand we're relying on Gibson to be fit or JH to play in there.

I didn't realise he was 32 though.

I never rated him. I always thought he was vastly over-rated. He won't bring anything to the table, bar his bulging wallet.

No thanks.

I don't rate him. He is a washed up has been.............however, so was Peter Reid and Andy Gray before they joined us!

Milner is shite.

Barry could do a job on loan but I would prefer us to be looking to give a younger lad a go. We shouldn't be signing too many players near 30 or over 30

I could have sworn Peter Reid was around 26 when we signed him, hardly a washed up has been!

You're right Stuart, 26.

Barry isn't "vomit material" - but it would certianly hinder the development of others.

And his passing is woeful at times.

Barry John maybe ...

As I said before, I'm not the biggest fan of Barry as he isn't the kind of player who fires the imagination. However he does a job for his team. Last season he played forty-one games in a Man City team filled with superstars and forty-four in their title winning season, so he was obviously highly rated by Mancini. If he felt Barry was not up to the standards required he would have replaced him pretty quickly, especially if you consider he was a Hughes signing.

We are desperately short in midfield and don't appear to have much left in the kitty to bring in a quality replacement on a permanent transfer, so this seems to make a lot of sense to me. If you consider we have played Neville in midfield for the past few years this would be an upgrade in my opinion, even if he only stayed for the season.

If that is Fellainis replacement, colour me extremely disappointed !

If it is just for the squad, he's a decent enough midfielder.

On loan I think is a decent move in the absence of cash at Goodison Park. You aren't going to get many world beaters on loan....

It's just so f*****g annoying we have to go down this road. £5m for an oldish forward, a freebie oldish defender, a loan midfielder and a keeper for less than half a million. Now potentially an old midfielder on loan. Bill must be so pleased with himself for giving his new manager such massive backing, despite the extra £30m from Sky TV. I just hope that despite the 'new style' of footie we keep getting promised, Martinez will be as successful in the League and the transfer market as Moyes was, in spite of our useless board.

Barry is better than Gibson. Given our finances I think this would be a good move..

He must be on a pretty decent wage though, hardly free I expect.

Thinking about it, in a world cup year, perhaps Martinez will give him the guaranteed start line - he could still play for England his summer but not if he's rotting at MC.

Ok I have just woke With a raging hangover to this bollox.

Gareth F**king Barry. Johny H is a better option Def Mid. He used to be able to get around the field but his legs are well gone, doesn't offer any goal threat, can't pick a pass.

My optimisim for the new season is draining fast if this is the level of player were chasing.

I need a cure and fast

Squad is still light in terms of numbers, so it would make sense to loan him and one or two others to give us a bit of depth. You never know when you might need them.

Not convinced by this but if its only a loan then no harm done and adds a bit of depth to the CM position and gives Gibson and Fellaini some commpetition.

Better than Neville or Heitinga in CM anyway!

I don't think he would offer anything to the style of play Martinez is trying to bring, if anything we need more pace and guile, a 32 year old banger isn't the answer.

If this is true then I think this could be a major coup. A class player whose status appears to be rapidly waning at Man city and at international level. What an chance for to rekindle his floundering career.

If we intend to play tippy-tappy from the back you need to have a reliable first receiver in midfield. I don't see him panicking on the ball.I see Gibbo's fitness as a major issue. Forget his age.

He would be a major acquisition particularly during this transitional period we have ahead of us. Ossie doesn't cut it for me anymore. I don't see anything but benefit to us.

Bring it on!

Wouldn't be a bad move. I could see Barry doing a job protecting the back 3/4.

This would allow Fellaini to play further up field where he has more of an impact.

It's widely reported we are making a move for Gareth Barry on a year long loan. If we can pull this one off, then for a year I think this represents really good business, Barry may be 32 but he has passing ability and will still possess a hunger to prove people at City wrong. Okay it's not improving the age of the squad yet 32 is not that old for a player who never relied on pace.

Haven't seen him play for a long time but, as I recall it, he was more of a 'busy' and tenacious player rather than cultured and skilful. Never the quickest, I would be surprised if he is still able to operate at the required level given his age.

Always considered him over-rated, much like Milner and Ashley Young.

Ian I don't think Fellaini wants to move any further up the play, he has always wanted to sit deep and break up play, but Moyes used him how he thought he had to.

I think Barry will bring experience and presence, and should be enough to push Osman onto the sidelines - reason enough for us all praying tonight he signs.

If true it illustrates that Roberto has no more money to spend to improve the team.
If it is indeed correct, its not the worst move in the world, I think he could do a job for us this season.

He's bound to be on a barrel full of money though, if were short of cash, paying exorbitant wages is hardly the way to go!

Raymond

Barry is rumoured to earn £90k a week at Man City. If we were to get him on loan, I think we'd come to an arrangement with Man City to only pay half of his wages

Your probably right Mark, sounds like it might be more than paper talk if theres been good money bet on it!

It will be a typical Billy Liar move: sell Fellaini just before deadline day, and get a 32-year-old replacement on loan. £20 mill vanishing into the sunset.

Do we really want to see Osman playing a considerable part of this season in the deep role as he did today. Ok, Gibson and Fellaini are first pick for these positions, but chances are Gibbo will miss games with injuries and Fellaini through bans. Barry is a much better ption than Osman and he will give Gibson a run for his money for who partners Fellaini. Get him in BK!

What about a bid for Lewis Holtby on loan, can not even make the Spurs bench today.
They will not be able to keep all there midfielders happy..

What about Lee Cattermole from Sunderland, who is pretty much unemployed there? Not even a squad number I don't think.

Talking of Spurs - Palace are fucking dreadful - I can't see them scoring goals; that long ball shit is really poor. They haven't got the players.

It would be great if we could somehow persuade Landon Donovan to come to Everton if only for a season. IMHO he would be the type of player who would drive the rest of the team on and he could do Osman's job in his sleep. Creatively he would be a great asset and he likes to win, but doubtless our pot of money won't be big enough to get him.

Mark I'm watching that as well, it's interesting to see how media darlings Spurs play against a newly promoted inexperienced PL team in comparison to how we played at Norwich; like Everton Spurs are finding it difficult to carve out chances and Palace aren't nearly as dangerous going forward as Norwich were yesterday. That's why I believe that Everton are a better side than most of us sometimes think we are.

Just thinking the same Patrick.
If Spurs are considered a potential CL qualifier so should we.
Injuries permitting of course

I think every August is the same for Spurs, they try and accomodate another £80m of new talent into the side and fail to break into the top 4, they then rebuild again next summer.

On the other hand Spurs will probably win today and we did not...Think they have a bit more cutting edge than us, especially if they keep Bale.

Hope you're all joking about that guy! Past it two years ago! Give John Lundstram his chance, you can't keep talent down! This young lad could come in and learn of Gibbo and Felli and in 12 months could be a regular for the next five years.

We can't afford to waste money on players (old) who are just not good enough any more.

#798 Ross Edwards:

So we had a "well past its best" midfield for most of last season;
A striker who couldn't score;
A defence which is supposed to be the best in the league; and yet had only 2 clean sheets in the first 21 games;
And amazingly finished 6th.

The rest of the teams must have been useless. Unless of course your comment is not correct.

Phil, look at our midfield from last season, completely devoid of creativity.

We had Barkley as well as many other youngsters chomping on the bit waiting to be used by Dreary, who persevered with 36 year old Neville and 31 year old Osman, who as shown by yesterday's performance is well past it.

I'd say yes, most of the teams around us were useless. Who finished below us last season?

A very poor Liverpool side, that without Coutinho and Rat, were very average, West Brom, and Swansea.

Martinez needs options. Barry would allow Fellaini and Barkley to play further upfield when needed. If city pay his wages what's the problem? He's an excellent defensive MF player who has good distribution of the ball.

I'd love this. We need a disciplined defensive midfielder, and Barry would tick all the boxes.

Can't understand the negativity about this one. He's a decent premiership player. Provides cover where we need it in the DM position. If wages not too steep then its a decent move, and gives Martinez time to ponder a longer term solution to the DM position.

I remember Howard Kendall saying one of his best signings was Pat Jennings (when about 38) as cover for big Nev. Not sure how many appearances Pat got, but Howard said that old pros at the end of their career are much easier to manage than rising stars. They know they are there for cover so are not disheartened by being on the bench, and they are mature enough to be patient for their chances, and aren't over anxious when their chance comes along. Its good for squad morale.

Those that say that more is always better than less are wrong. Every player we add to the squad changes the squad dynamic. Someone else will move down the pecking order. The wage bill will go up. Each squad place matters so we need to add to it carefully. But we need cover for Gibson and Barry would be a decent short term option (and in the long run we are all dead anyway).

Barry's a decent player, nothing less but nothing more. If this came off it wouldn't be an exciting or especially high-priority move, but it would probably be a nice bit of business - we already have Gibson and Fellaini playing a similar defensive-ish role, with Barkley and Osman also competing for time in the centre of midfield. But Barry would be a better option as a squad player in that role than someone like Hitzelsperger (or, god forbid, Heitinga).

I guess the question is would he really be happy to come in as a squad player, not an automatic starter? If he is, and if we don't have to pay much of his wages, I quite like the idea.

No thanks, legs have gone. We can do so much better for the wages he would be on.

Legs have gone, past it, too slow... well he played well over 80 games for Man City the past two seasons, he can't be that bad.

Speaking of which – whether you agree or not, two of the best battling midfielders who could lay a pass off, but who would struggle to give a tortoise a head start in a sprint race, were none other than Peter Reid and Jan Molby. It's not all about having the pace of Usain Bolt. I think on a year loan signing it's a no brainier, get the guy in. Okay, he's 32 but looking at the option of a crocked Gibson, Osman or Heitinga playing there, I would plump for Barry.