Everton line up Fernando to replace Fellaini

£15 mil for someone in the final year of their contract? I fear the worst this window..

I don't. This guy looks a lot better than McCarthy. Miles better.

The reason it's £15M is that he has a buy-out clause of £30M and entering last year so would be an amazing coup for us, with McCarthy rumoured to be close as well... Add that with Bruno Martins lndi supposed to be flying in from Holland at 5pm, this would be amazing last day for us.

Anichebe and Fellaini the only players linked to leave today as well. Baines supposed to be staying... AWESOME. We just need a forward in: Defoe linked.

On the contrary Sean. From what I gather he could be just what we need and has been well sought after. If he is Fellaini's level (no more or less) then we make £7m towards someone else and I doubt very much Fernando would be on £75k a week like Fellaini is so we could end up with a 2-4-1 deal if we were to also get someone like Ince at the touted £8.5m.

Don't know where the McCarthy money would come from then but it was easier painting the financial picture with Ince, haha.

Right now if we lose Fellaini through injury, suspension, playing a non-high profile opponent we are paying £75k a week for nothing. This stacks up for me and I hope it is true.

Don't know anything about this guy but IMO anything is better than paying 15 million for another Wigan reject.

At least we are thinking outside the Wigan box
There has to be alternatives to McCarthy otherwise we will get screwed by Whelan

The 'work permit' will be the problem, to scupper this deal.

Yep, seems only reason we can get close to affording him is due to him being in his last 12 months... Some way to go but I truly hope I have my morning prediction stuffed down my throat!

I did ask for another defender and seems RM might deliver with Astori... I quite liked the look of that Dutch guy though.. Oh yes plus this Bruno guy.. He looks very tasty! Might mean we're seeing the end of Baines if true..

I read on wiki he has Potuguese citizenship... 5 years and can play for them.. So don't see why it should be..

Sky sources understand that Everton have attended a work permit hearing in London in an attempt to conclude a deal for Porto midfielder Fernando.

He looks a good player; great tackler.

According to the Daily Mail, the work permit has already been secured by Everton.

SSN.1 minute ago. Martinez in London seeking work permit.

I will be amazed if we get anybody.

'Work permit scuppers deal' can see it now, just one of many ruse's used by Mr Kenwright!

Tony #591 Defoe would be awesome!

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty — FERNANDO LATEST:

"Some suggesting Everton's move for Fernando is a late long shot – cynics might suggest it won't be the first time that has happened."

Has anybody seen the YouTube video of Fernando? This lad loves a tackle. And remember Fellaini's pirouette against Bellamy? Yeah, he pulls them off for a laugh does the Octopus. €30M release clause as well. Bargain.

Very whiffy this proposed deal call me a cynic but it has all the hallmarks of the Banega work permit debacle.

Mark S. Well, Martinez is in London right now.

Great if we do sign him.

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando!

Harold (#612)

Yes, I saw that as well, but don't quite understand why Roberto has had to go there personally. Presumably that will take up quite some time, travel, queuing up,(sorry we're shut for lunch) we've run out of forms, the photocopier's gone on the blink, etc.

Cindy. Are you related to Andy, Ashley or Nat.?

Old King, actually Harold.

Lol

Yes Derek. He likes to do things personally. Always has done.

Fernando will have a hard task replacing Fellaini's 1 goal in every 3 games. And Felliani's domination in both ends of the field. As well as doing the usual good midfield work of Fellaini.

Nice one

Harold (#634)

The point I was trying to make, was, like you say 'he likes to do things personally' that the time consumed, leaves little time to sign up anybody else.

When all said and done, if Vic goes, which looks increasingly likely, we should be,not only getting a replacement, but making a striker pretty high on the agenda.

Might down London to see Defoe as well???

I said in another post that I hoped Martinez didn't get tunnel vision for McCarthy and was broadening his search for talent. I will admit that I know very little about Fernando, but I do know he is a tough tackling defensive midfielder who looks like he can pick a pass. I think the problem we have with Fellaini is that he is a top attacking midfielder who wants to be a defensive midfielder and that position doesn't necessarily utilize his strengths, the main one being his control of aerial balls in the final third. It doesn't look like Martinez was keen on playing him in the more advanced role either.

By replacing him with a dedicated defensive midfielder and having money left over I think we could come out with a stronger team, despite losing one of the best midfielders in the league. If we get Barry in on loan the midfield problems will be addressed and we can concentrate on finding a striker with the remaining money. I see Wigan are after Rhodes for £6m plus add ons. For that sort of money he might be worth a gamble. Surely he can be no worse than what we have and we do have a good record of bringing in Championship players and turning them into Premier League stars. Is he another Beckford though?

I thought Darren Bent would have been a good option as the lone man, but that ship has sailed. Could Defoe be lured with the promise of first team football? It looks like Spurs will use Soldado as their number 9, so he might see us as a good career move.

Trouble with the work permit. This would be typical of Everton. Piss around with someone we were never going to get, and sell Felli at the 11th hour. Will be seriously pissed off if he goes and we don't find a suitable replacement. A 15M James Mccarthy is not a suitable replacement by the way.