Blues linked with 'new Lukaku'

Just keep the one we have - no need for a new one thanks!

Replacement for Jeli?

But we don't have him Craig, he is on loan and there is no guarantee Chelsea will sell him to us even if they don't want him long term (if we have a good season we become a serious rival for them).

If this lad can be prised away for £8 million and turns out to be as good as Lukaku we will have cover / alternatives for the rest of this season and someone definitely in place for the future.

If he is actually available at that price he may be worth the gamble. I will trust the experts to make that decision.

How can he be the new Lukaku when he's the same age. They're both new. :)

We need a striker for sure; however, for me a wide pacy winger is a must, Mirallas and Pienaar don't have to fight for their places which is making both of them complacent.

Sean, I never thought I would see anyone use the words "Pienaar" and "complacent" on the same page, let alone in the same sentence.

If there is one adjective that has never applied to Pienaar and never will, that's the one.

Mike 720
I for one agree with the comments from Sean.
It was a mistake to take Pienaar back in the first place.
There is an old saying "never go back" - this should have been the case , he made a big play about wanting to play in Champions League , engineered a move to Spurs and was rubbish there. Never been the same since his return in my opinion

Pienaar has been a bit in and out this season but I think generally he has played well, certainly better than last season. As for a new striker I think it would be a big boost to buy another although another option would be to play Mirralles through the middle

Tom (743) very harsh.

Value for money Pienaar down the years has consistently been one of our best players; the ill-fated Spurs transfer and buy-back notwithstanding.

Back to the subject at hand, 8m for a promising youngster, if he is even close to being as good as Lukaku, I'd say go for it.

"the next" isn't that a bit premature for a 20 year old who has still a lot to prove.
all the same (assuming Lukaku would be 20m+) if he is 12m+ less............. sounds, in monetary terms at least, like more our sort of option.

Jelle Vossen from Genk is my preferred choice.
Has more experience at the top level for a more prolonged period.

More like the new Yak.

Keep Pato off the spagetti and he's ten times better than all these up and comers. Different class.

Pato, now I haven't heard that name in so long I had to check out his Wiki.

Another who has fallen from grace and sounds like too much pasta wasn't his only vice. Still only 24 though.

Do you think he has sorted himself out and would like another go in Europe, Harold?

Just seen rerun of main event from UFC 168 where Anderson Silva suffered a horrible lower leg break; they don't censor the slow motion replays so it is definitely not for the squeamish.

Don't think he's ever been happy at Milan Si. Though still an amazing player, his value has plummeted but people say he may head back to Brazil.

Back to reality. Judging by his Wigan signings and the recent summer window, Martinez moves with the quiet stealth of a black ops specialist. Targets will have already been approached, bound and gagged. Gazumping poachers will be led up false trails and, as promised a few months ago, "By late Jan, early Feb, we'll have a squad able to compete with anyone." Roll on.

Harold, do you think it will be youngsters or more experienced players RM will bring in?

There was talk of youngsters being blooded from Europe at Everton, but Barry's experience has had a good impact on the team.

Need the balance – especially with a push for European football

Hope there is some legs in this, if anything happens to Lukaku we have no hope for the top 4. I'd consider giving him the Stoke game off as he looks knackered and surely prone to an injury if overworked. I'd play Mirallas upfront, might wake him up a small bit.

Wonder what chance we have of holding on to Rom. Looks pretty slim in light of his recent comment (reported on here) that he's off back to Chelsea either way.

Would love us to buy him.

David. In an ESPN interview, Sept 12, Martinez said he was a big fan of the youth system used by John Toshack at Real Sociedad where Javi Alonso and other top-notchers were brought through from the academy to play alongside experienced, first team players of various nationalities. I don't know exactly how the Real Sociedad academy operates but it's reputation stretches worldwide.

In the same interview Martinez stated his admiration for the "Bielsa" method of players taking on opponents one-on-one and causing things to open up, a la Deulofeu, Coleman etc. Passing the ball was never mentioned. It was all down to making the right split-second decisions.

He's more Thierry Henry than Lukaku. He's quick as lightning, can dribble, likes to take on players, can score with both feet and can play on either wing or down the middle. I suppose we could offer £6m plus £2m in add-ons if they'd accept that.

I would still prefer Loic Remy or Tom Ince but this kid's got a very good goal-scoring record.

Anyone heard any more news on the Yann M'Vila loan move? He'd be a brilliant addition to the squad.

Everton have a chance of winning the premier league if Everton could find another Lukaku. Lukaku does an amazing amount of work upfront for Everton by his own, also, running both channels and coming back to get the ball before charging upfield again. Since Tottenham have reverted to 2 upfront they have been more formidable as an attacking team than AVB's previous team of one man up front like Everton at present.

Colin. According to your description this guy sounds like a mixture of Messi and Ronaldo. How can you possibly prefer Remy or Ince?

Lukaku was scoring about one in two games as a sixteen year old, this fella has only just started doing that now. His physical development is behind Lukaku's (but who's isn't) but he's getting goals. £8M sounds like a lot for what he has done so far but what striker can you get who has done anything for £8M?

If we are going to kick on then we will need a few punts like this to come off.

Harold, your posts always make me smile.

"Martinez moves with the quiet stealth of a black ops specialist. Targets will have already been approached, bound and gagged. Gazumping poachers will be led up false trails..."

Lovely.

And I learned a new word. "Gazumping" hadn't made it over here to the Colonies. Yet.

Harold, the Wiki information on Pato said he has been back in Brazil for a few years now (must have been just a kid when at Milan) and suggests his form is patchy. Also says he has a failed marriage due to his penchant for partying.

I know Wiki isn't a reliable source so do you have more correct information?

Correction - Pato signed for Corinthians in January 2013, his career had stalled for the few years prior to that.

Si, I saw some Pato games when he was at Milan. Meh at best! There are some brilliance but nothing magical. It might be a Milan thing but I can't be sure. Also, if you consider that Brazil picks a lot of players from the Brazilian league, I heard its changes due to coaching preferences, he might not be thinking about another move anytime soon.

Harold, I hope you're right. OFM's biggest problem in bringing in talent, there are too many competitors! Even relegation fodder can outbid us easily! Throw them off our scent and we'll be in great shape!