United make Barkley 'Number One target'

I know it's the Manchester Evening News but United have not denied the rumour and think an offer of £50million may get Everton round the table.

Why don't they just fuck off and leave us be?!

Cause they think we're poor? I find it a complement in fact that we have a top player, among other great performers (strange, no one wants Coleman?).

However, like you, I just want them to get lost.

Complete crap. Moyes will have tested the water behind the scenes and will have been told "No dice." Cheers, David.

Why on earth would Barkley want to go to a club where he knows that the manager doesn't rate him? Not going to happen.

It really doesn't make sense, unless Moyes is fundamentally worried about keeping his job?

Kevin, Man Utd fans aren't used to not having success, at least many of the current generation. You got to wonder if they will keep him if he missed out on UCL.

A lot of folks I know are already readying their pitchforks. Talk about sanity, huh!

No chance. This isn't a Rooney situation. We aren't 15th in the league and completely in the shit financially. We're looking down the table at the them having beaten them in Old Trafford and only one transfer window into Roberto's home makeover. Barkley is out here getting Everton tattoos for christ sake.

I don't know what it is but there's something about Ross that shouts "I'm not gonna do a Rooney".

Every time I see him or read anything about him it just exudes loving everything about the here and now at Goodison, no money nor promises of trophies elsewhere seem to figure.

There's umpteen reasons involving Moyes and likely Utd decline that would kill this story but the main thing is I just don't think the boy sees anywhere better than GP.

£50M and for me he has to go; I've never had a problem with us selling a player as long as we get top draw money for them. £50M will rebuild the team for many years...

One man can only do so much, let's face it... if he continues to develop into the player we all hope he will be, it's only a matter of time before he will be away as Everton simply cannot match the financial packages offered by other clubs when it comes to wages.

We will get a bigger offer next summer. It would make no sense to sell him now.

Craig, nothing wrong with taking the money and run sometimes but the drawback of such a big transfer is that other clubs would stick the knife in us as well when we want their players. Just look at spurs! I do agree that the money can do us some good but I'm cautious on how it should be handled. Rooney was worth way more than 50m imo, we're heavily shortchanged! 50 should just be a starting point on what teams should think of when trying to buy RB.

Dennis, the older fans were reared on a lack of success. When the playing field was level (before Sky) United could get a sniff, I hope they do keep Moyes as he is allergic to silver, it'll take them back to the good old days.

Ross, excuse my ignorance, but how did Sky makes such a bigger difference to United than Everton?

Shane, TV money man. They have more games on TV with higher amount of audience!

Barry (281), it's funny but I get exactly the same feeling from him that you do.

Craig Mills is probably right that sooner or later the money would be just too much to turn down, but for right now I just feel like our grass is the greenest, so to speak.

Yeah I suppose. But isn't most of the money dished out based on where you finish in the league and aren't all clubs guaranteed at least 3 games on the box per season?

Okay Craig Mills - 282 - harsh I apologize - but you say '50m and for me he has to go, never had a problem selling a player as long as we get top draw money for them'

A silly silly comment lacking ambition for this moment in time and the overall impact and pedigree of your post is hardly helped by 'top draw'.

Barry, I assume you meant nothing rather than something in the first sentence. Did you see Rooney doing a Rooney, I didn't.

That said, we are not the same team that Rooney left, CL qualification is more than a possibility at Everton. Just don't see this one unless the money is ridiculous and I don't believe they'd offer 50M in any case, probably 20 the cheeky twats.

Ross, I hope for the same especially because we all know too well who they will come after next if OFM is out. Plus OFM is not that bad. I rank him about midtable based on all managers in the league, and their squad could have done worst. It's not like they can get anyone better anyway. manu will be in a death spiral if they listen to their fans. They got too many bandwagon fans imo.

Craig - if he gets us into Champions League this season or next, we will make £25 mil, half of what they are reported to be willing to offer. A season in the Champions League (and the opportunity to play with a future world star) attracts better players to the club.

Also, why sell now when his value will only go up (if he continues to play this well)?

He's currently of more value to us than his price tag!

Shane, I'm not sure how the deal works but surely, we can believe that manu will get more games based on competitions they are in, replays and other sneaky deals they can get based on their lofty position under SAF. I do know where you're coming from but I imagine Sky money as just a seeding factor to their enormous success. Imagine if our players and matches gets more talk, more focus on Sky commercials and programs. Helps with club merchandise for sure!

Shane, I think 50% goes to all clubs equally; 25% based on number of televised games; 25% based on finishing position in league (about £0.5mill difference per place???).

Jon, is that number a given even for qualifying or just group stage?

wait until after Brazil it will be 75 mill and I still wouldnt sell, not least with the mingebag sitting in the chair - hmmm, reinvest the sponds, bank loan, me, bit of each, two from three,

Shane, the teams Sky favoured (because more people want to watch them apparently), got a leg up in the premier league and this subsequently allowed them to be in champions league which is a gravy train that is quite hard to fall off.

Everton in the eighties were ahead of their time, had they been successful 5 years later things would be a lot different.

I did have a thought though, as much as I'm against selling.

Our players deserve a payrise these big money clubs can easily afford. At some point, we'll have to decide if we can afford all the top performers we have right now.

This dilemma reminds me of Oklahoma Thunder just a few years ago. They went to the NBA Finals based on a young and cheap team but they had to break it up when they started renewing players' contracts.

I hope we don't reach that tipping point that quickly. Moving some deadweight off the wage bill will help.

Craig, there are some players who for them the financial package is secondary. Baines and Jagielka would already be gone if this wasn't the case.

The attitude at Goodison now is very different. RM talks about player quality and team contribution, making them feel valued and an asset to the club. Players WANT to play for us.

We have the beginnings of a very good Everton team capable of competing for honours, Ross being part of the catalyst of that. Why would you want to break it up?..

You only have to look at Spurs, £56m bought them a mediocre striker and an invisible midfielder.

If a the player wants to move, fair enough but £50m is the starting bid for me.

We cannot let him go - certainly at this age. I hope he has a good agent and good family around him. It would be terrible advice for him to nudge him into leaving. I am certain he'll stick around; Roberto is going to build his Everton side around him and Moyes simply didn't trust him.

If Everton haven't won anything in four or five years, yes let him go for the right price, and let him fill his trophy cabinet and realise all his footballing dreams. It's a short career, but he should stick around and see what happens here first. It'll be beneficial for both of us.

Paul Ferry #306

I agree it would not make sense to sell him now, he's only going to get better and as you quite rightly point out a successful World Cup increases his value.
Where I don't agree is that selling him indicates a lack of ambition. What would lack ambition is using the money to pay down the debt instead of reinvesting. Buying four quality players with the proceeds might be the game changing move for us. Big risk of course as it looks like Spurs have pissed the Bale proceeds away.

I would also ease fears further by reminding all Toffees what we already know and are familiar with - Moyes has thirty days in this window to pull it off... He couldn't even choose a Dominos pizza for delivery in that time. Fuck them, and let them fucking try. Cheeky bastards.

A £50 million offer now would put a floor under all the offers we will get in the summer, or next year when Ross learns how to pass the ball more effectively and thus becomes a complete player.

The entire system is insane. The Prem should adopt the NFL's system, where all teams share TV revenue equally. That might bring some sanity to the finances of English football. I know, it's socialism, but...

I don't think Man Utd have got £50 mill to throw round any more, when was the last time they broke the transfer record? There are parallels between us and Man Utd, albeit at a higher level; in the '70s & '80s we broke transfer records and then we started to talk a good game (we were in for Shearer).

In the last window, they were linked with the world and his mother and only got Fellaini; poor management or the Shearer syndrome? The Glazers have screwed the club to the wall. And it will be interesting if Man Utd fail to qualify for CL — just how much they will have to spend next season?

To misquote Fergie, I wouldn't sell that lot a virus. Ginger seems to think Roberto is willing to keep us as his personal feeder club I.e. Barkley today, Coleman tomorrow, every transfer window he can pick and choose from our squad etc... Some on here seem quite content to allow him to do this. This my friends is, in the long run, suicidal. Just look at WHU and all the great players they've lost over the years; Lampard, Cole, Carrick, Defoe, Johnston etc....

Mark, that was hilarious! It's not a question of whether they try, but rather how high dare they try. As much as we would say no anyway, it would be a worthwhile drama to see them try.

Totally agree with you Phil. I wrote letters to the FA and Sky Sports 10 years ago, headed "The Level Playing-Field Initiative." Very briefly every club in the Premiership should have an equal pot of money either to invest in their infrastructure or buying new players, and that no club could exceed their share. I outlined the advantages it would bring to all clubs, not just the Sky 4.
It is no coincidence that the most successful clubs in the Premiership have also been the richest.
Guess what? Never received as much as an acknowledgement,

Barkley should not be sold at any price, he's the brightest young talent in the PL, he's English and most important of all – a true blue. We need to build a team around this great player – selling him will just put out a statement that we completely lack ambition. We shouldn't be selling one of our own to any of these soulless mega-rich clubs.

If the day comes when Barkley thinks he might want a new challenge or he gets sick of being paid £60k a week – then let's get a Bale type fee for him. It's important we don't let him run his contract down and only get half of what he's worth. I hope a new 5-year contract will be signed by him, committing his long term future to us.

We now have a world class manager, the directors have a opportunity right now second to none, not to sell, but to buy.

We are 4th, we need a striker & a midfielder of class in the Jan window, if we can find them & I know that's a big if, we have a real fighting chance of a CL spot.

These next few months are vital for our club. We are in with a realistic chance of CL football, which could transform our finances and future. Now more than ever must the board invest – long-term contracts for Barkley and Coleman, preliminary talks about Barry's next two years, a goalscoring striker to reinforce and replace Lukaku, one or two quality attacking midfielders.

Most of our other positions are well covered. We lost out last season by sitting on our hands last January – don't let it happen again. All the other clubs seem to have owners willing to open their wallets – why can't ours? That's what a board is for FFS!

Shane 289 The reason the Mancs have benefitted from Sky more than us is that it raised their worldwide profile, especially in China and Japan, to their already large global appeal. Don't forget that it was only back in 1989 that Michael Knighton (the twat that came out juggling a ball at half time against Arsenal in the opening game) was gonna buy the club for just £17 million but in the end he couldn't raise the money! Just a few years later, Sky came on the scene and all of a sudden their price rocketed, due to the Premier League being beamed all over the world, hence the Yanks paying something like £700 million to buy the club less than 20 years later, which I don't think would've happened without Sky getting involved.

I have only two words to say and they should strike fear into the heart of anyone speculating on this and those words are.... Bill Kenwright.

The Manchester Evening News would not print that unless there was something behind it.

We are seeing the beginning of United's sly game of unsettling our players through the media: they did it with Rooney and, to a lesser extent, Baines and Fellaini. Now it's Barkley's turn.

I would hope that Kenwright will wave a cheery two fingers in Moyes's face, but I have no faith whatsoever in Widow Twanky's sincerity. If he told me today was Monday I wouldn't believe it.

Prepare for the worst, if not now then in the summer. The Mancs will want to get Barkley before he takes the World Cup by storm.

Is it really a year ago since Leroy Fer was meant to be signing?

Rumours will abound from the usual media know-it-alls, especially in and around the transfer windows.

All the stars of the season will be mentioned and numbers like £50 million will always stir up the interest even if it is totally untrue.

It won't happen this season.

Carl, we are the 4th placed team and United have to get into the top four. When they can't do it on the pitch they always have the press to turn to, unsettling key players in their rivals teams; this has got Ferguson all over it.

They won't bid £50M for Barkley, it's bullshit.

Totally agree with Ray and Roger, this is the time to invest and push for Champions League. This time last year we were in a similar situation and nothing happened, I can't forget how gutted and frustrated I felt when we didn't push on. Maybe the board knew DM was on his way, makes sense in retrospect, but not at the time.

Let's hope they show some faith in Martinez and really go for it.

Ross, you read my mind. No doubt this is another of manu little tricks to get RB unsettled and make a lowball bid. Fortunately for us, the team now is full of true blues, unlike back in the day when it was a Frankenstein of sorts. Hopefully, we'll ride out the Jan storm with RB and other key performers and a lot more guys.

Steve, this board is notorious for being money pinchers. I wouldn't hold my breath on spending but it seems RM has swayed them a bit. We should be able to hold onto our players, if not more.

Bollocks the lot of it. Everyone giving their opinions on whether they would sell or not. At the end of the day if someone came in for him and he wanted to go then he would go. Don't matter if it's £20m or £100m — if he didn't want to go, don't sell him.

At the end of the day, player power rules. And also don't believe all this going for trophy shite cause it's all about the money. Top players from years gone by are selling their league winners and even World Cup winning medals just to get a few bob. And here's something else while I'm at it: keep and eye on his arms 'cause, if he ever starts getting tatts, we're fucked.

Tony, thank god RB doesn't strike me as someone to get a tat anytime soon. Even if he does, he might get the badge on his chest!

He won't go in January but he might go one day. He is potentially worth top drawer money in the Ronaldo/Bale bracket but at the moment it is potential. Ronaldo performed at the top level consistently for 4 or 5 years at Man U before his transfer to Real and Bale was the same for the best part of 2 years.

We had several factors in our favour stopping a move at the present time. He is playing regularly for a manger who trusts him and let's him play the way he wants. He is playing for a side that is challenging for a top 4 spot and has a genuine chance of making it. He is playing for the club he has been with for 10 years plus and who he supports, yes I know Rooney was too but his relationship with the manager had completely broken down by the time he asked for a move to the extent that he would have considered Newcastle as a move. It is a World Cup year and he has one foot on the plane. He can carry on playing week in and week out for a team he knows he will get picked for or he can move to a new club and risk a backward step.

He also knows that, if he wants to move, he can wait until after the World Cup when his stock could be even higher, or, if not, he could still ask for a move anyway. If he does want to move then he may want to wait for more than Man U to be interested. There is no guarantee that they will even be in the Champions League next year and if he was seriously after big wages then Man City is the place to go.

Ross knows that he's playing for a manager who appreciates his skill and who will help him develop. The other one just wants another grafter to make sure Giggsy and Carrick don't get embarrassed during games. You'll be our captain in a few years time, Ross.

The fact that Moyes is now at Man Utd will mean Barkley won't entertain them. Back in 2011, Ross had a major bust up with Deadly Dave and I believe his treatment thereafter by Moyes was a result of this.

Another thing is Man Utd could well be on the way to becoming the new Liverpool FC. Once the undisputed Kings of England and of Europe, bad managerial appointments did Liverpool in. No matter how big the worldwide fan base or the size of players' pay packets, you need a top draw football brain in charge of team affairs or your club will suffer. Moyes is out of his depth and I hope he ruins the legacy he was left by SAF.

Man Utd's pulling power in attracting top players died when Old Whiskey Nose handed in his P45. Man Utd are not the club they once were without SAF
and players know this. Ross to stay, is my bet.

Tony's spot on, Ross will move when Ross wants to.
There's bound to be media talk about Ross being wanted by Utd, City etc, of course they would buy him.
First off, the player has to want to go, and I don't think he wants to go yet.

If we're going to get true success back at Everton again, there has to come a point when we grow a pair and tell the circling vultures to stick their rumours, offers and general shit-stirring where the sun don't shine. Starting with Moyes et al.

Put in a counter bid for one of their lads. Start with Rooney or one of their up-and-coming youngsters. Uzi to a gunfight and all that. RM has sort of set the tone with his "not even a Bale style offer" etc.

(That is assuming this is true. I think it may be lazy hacks trying to pass for journos. I'm proud to say I haven't wasted my money on a paper for at least 3 years now. These twatty pundits on MotD etc are no better either.)

Tony Doran. Ross already has a tattoo. Complete with the date of his Everton debut.

Which player got the Martinez era under way with the first goal? Under Roberto, Barkley is going absolutely nowhere. RM will build a side around Barkley, if Moyes didn't fancy playing Ross over the last 2-3 seasons does anyone think he's really going to even consider a mammoth bid for him? Even Moyes isn't that daft. Forget any thoughts of him moving; it won't happen.

Mike (347), guess how many years I've avoided papers in Singapore, of course, now its easier I'm actually NOT in Singapore for a few years now.

Kunal, as much as the papers are spouting nonsense and rumor mill goes into full steam, OFM will be tempted at least, though can't say he's not sore from the last transfer debacle. This Jan window seems to be the calmest for us in a few years! I take these big numbers quoted as a compliment for RM. IMWT!

Excellent points all; it's my life membership of the Pessimistic Evertonian Society that leads me to fear the worst.

It is intolerable to the media that none of their favourite teams possesses the best emerging English talent; this shit will not stop until Ross is prised out.

Carl, it will if we become one of their favourite teams.

Ross,

Yes, but for that to happen we need to keep Ross, Seamus et al.

Catch-22!

Tony Doran is right. Players will move when it suits them and/or their agents.

From a MUFC point of view, if they have £50m to spend then their priorities, on the evidence of their performances this season, will not be met by buying a still raw, however exciting, youngster. It would make more sense if the talk was of a bid for our full-backs, God forbid.

Just a quick point. Anyone who believes if we sell for £50M, we'd have £50M to spend, is about as naive as it gets.

The first thing to do is for everyone to stop hanging a sale price around the lads neck. Just to mention it creates a crack in our armour and thats all the rats need as some kind of justification for their dirty deeds.
The media starts the ball rolling then our own idiots kick it along.

Tony Marsh@343, I agree with what you say - there is a shift of power underway but no definite heir as yet. This is why the Barkley rumour is bollocks, no way that Untitted are going to gamble their future on Barkley when a developed world class player like Ozil went to Arsenal for £40M. They will buy Lallana, and he will be found wanting.

What was the bust up with Moyes all about?

Why would anyone getting paid mega bucks playing for the team they support and presumably love even think of moving? Don't get it and never got it with Jeffers and Rooney.

Dick, it's bound to happen, that's what the media's there for.
Red hot young player = speculation on where/when/how much, unless he plays maybe for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Michael@363, it's quite simply because they have agents who make a percentage on their transfer fee. Rooney is a proper blue and still turned down a massive contract to play for his beloved team, who saw that coming?

Unfortunately these agents seem only to see short term financial gain for themselves and their client rather than their professional development.

Well they need something to look forward to because they're not getting top 4 this season.

Ross,

"...their professional development." Is it five or six league championships Rooney has won?

Seriously, players move because they will earn more or win things. It will be Kenwright's job to convince Ross that he can earn more; and it will be Martinez's job to convince him that he can win things.

Ross #307, not having a go but the "leg up" comment seems to be a throwaway remark. Unless you can be more specific.

I think Steve Harris #325 is most likely more accurate.

Swop for Van Persie.

How can anyone confirm a rumour?

Ryan Big Dunc had a Everton tatt and Micheal Ball had a badge the size of Niel Rudducks head on his house.

Ryan Big Dunc had a Everton tatt and Micheal Ball had a badge the size of Niel Rudducks head on his house.

Really can't see this one at all.

We're playing some of the most attractive attacking football in the Premier League regardless of the opposition, have probably our best ever chance of a CL place (or better), Barkley is a pivotal first team player being handed a comparatively free role to express himself by a manager who clearly believes in him and NOT being overly punished/chastised if he makes a poor pass or loses possession.

Why on earth would any young player in their right mind want to trade that in for being played out of position or warming the bench elsewhere? Particularly under the manager who showed so little faith in him previously?

Ross has plenty of time to make big money (he'll get a new contract and some extra signing wedge from us anyway) and from the club's side, there's no real logic in cashing in now unless we genuinely believe he'll go off the boil or that we don't have a chance of pushing on.

The value of Everton securing a CL place and mounting a sustained title challenge is so vast (not just in terms of short-term rewards, but long term prestige, marketability and potential investment) that it would be absolutely crazy to risk that for a short-term gain, especially considering the negative impacts any sale would have on the manager, other players and fans.
If we fall away in the second half, then Barkley will still be a hot property in the summer and there'll be more time to reshuffle the pack after any departure.

The potential sale of Baines obviously shares some of the points above, but differs in four key areas:
i) For the player this really is one of his last chances to make a big move and a final payday
ii) The player has served his dues for the club, having put in a shift for 6.5 seasons
iii) The resale value for the club will only drop with each successive window
iv) We have capable cover for his position (Oviedo straightaway, Garbutt to come through)

Ultimately I want to see both stay and the only people I'd happily wave out with be Jelly and Heitinga.

Raymond, you got that right!

Carl, sure, to earn more and win things, but manu at this moment?

Brent, swop or swap? It better be swoop because seriously, that guy's shelf life is almost up. Isn't he injured now? Remember how long he was out injured when he was at Arsenal? Class player sure, and probably longer career than I said, but not near the value of RB! We should instead make a 5m bid for him while he's injured just for kicks!

Ross won't go too soon imo; I think he's enjoying it too much. As for dm well surely he's learnt his lesson with Fellaini, how can he go and take another chance. He needs proven champions league performers. The only way Ross Barkley goes to Man U in the next year or so is if the board decide to take the money out of the club. In which case rm will be asked to freeze him out, rumours will be planted in the press and Bk will be chopping onions before phoning round the richest clubs he can think of.

The only midfielder to go for supersonic money was Zidane, voted the best European player in the past 50 years and already a superstar when the deal went through. No matter how much we rate Barkley, he will not be worth more than Aguero or Ratboy. That is a fact. Cavani and Falcao went for a lot more than Ozil because they are goal scoring machines. Ozil isn't. Messi, Ronaldo and Bale are goal scoring machines. Hence the sky high valuation.

Personally, I hope and pray we hang on to young Ross, He is my favourite Everton player. So brilliant, so unique and a joy to watch. Still some way from being the finished article, he is one of our own and being with people who know and understand him must aid his developement.

Carl@371
Yes he's won tonnes in England but when he left Everton there was a genuine belief that he might become the best player in the world, is he even in the top ten?

He was at a similar level to Ronaldo at the time but not any more.
His best performances for England were whilst he played for Everton, how do you explain that?

Professional development means being nurtured to become the best you can be, that should be the main focus of the agent.

Shane@373
Totally agree, Steve (@325) explains it better than me.
Doesn't change my point though, United benefitted most from the Sky era, we peaked to soon.

My personal opinion is that many young players are lured away from regular 1st team football at a "lower level club" by the financial and glamourous temptation presented to them when a so called 'big club" comes in for them. Also, they are often badly advised and ill advised by their club when the club itself is in desperate need of cash to survive.

We can name plenty of young Everton players who have moved on when faced with these temptations and have since disappeared off the radar, or are languishing in the reserves (Rooney excepted).

Everton's board is part of the problem as far as I'm concerned. Continuous failure to provide the investment needed to develop the club has resulted in many of our players deciding to take the risk of moving on rather than settle for a non committal board and lack of investment and ambition.

As much as Ross seems to have his head screwed on, our board and management has to play its part and demonstrate a long term ambition to become the best. Or else we cannot blame any of these young stars taking the risk and moving on.

The good news seems to be that Martinez has a most ambitious vision for Everton and hopefully his enthusiasm and dream will finally get these board room fossils to buy in and stump up the cash needed for us to move forward.

Harold, he will stay for the near future. He knows what's best for him is here. Your mention of Zidane would be an ideal case for us after RB becomes who we expect him to be with us.

Ross, agreed. While I still hold Rooney in high regard, your comparison to Ronaldo is spot on. I dare say RB is currently an even hotter commodity than Rooney was back in the day. Not to mention actual match winning performances.

Unfortunately, agents care only about money these days, since its not always the single big deal that gets the agents the most. I do think RB's case differs from most and that better money can be had if he is to stay with us for the next few years, hopefully even decade.

There's been a few comparisons between Barkley and Gascoigne recently and I think that's only because he's England's most recent great midfielder.

He is much more similar to Zidaine in his playing style and physique. He is the dominant, skilful, goal scoring midfielder that is always the player that every top team needs to supply the likes of Suarez, but is in much shorter supply. Barkley can be the best, we must keep him.

I think Rooney left because

1 Everton were pretty rubbish then.
2 Moyes was still protecting him and not playing him every game - clearly they didn't get on.
3 Everton desperately needed money.
4 His agent had a lot of sway and had inside track to Man U.

The first 3 of things are no longer true.

Why would he want to leave for a lesser club which needs a serious overhaul of its' playing staff and managed by someone who clearly was not prepared to give him a real chance?

United need to be told to fuck right off. We shouldn't be doing ANY business with them, or their twat of a manager.

I'm sick of the media too. Is our club not allowed to have class players without them trying to get them out of our club?

Or is it that they are well aware that arsehole Kenwright just sees the pound signs when a big bid for any of our top players comes in?

I love the term "no plans". Media savvy term that means nothing.

Check out politicians using the term: RE Cameron we have no plans to stop the EMA – education maintenance allowance, then he bins it when in government.

Yeah, the excuse will go, we had no plans but then we looked at the books... bs, bs, bs!

Even if Everton were shoite, why leave? Is £50-60k not enough to live on and have an enjoyable career and end up revered and become one of the clubs greats?

SG at the RS has done it right I think even if he is knob.

The 6 richest clubs make between £18 and 30 million per year on shirt sponsors alone. We make £4 million. If we have the most expensive, highly rated British youngster in all of England (assuming someone bids £50+ million for him) then we need to find a new shirt sponsor and make as much as those teams. This extra cash alone would equal the £50 million transfer fee in 3-5 years time. And that doesn't even factor in additional sponsorship opportunities that we could find.

We would be crazy to sell Ross Barkley right now. Let him play in a Would Cup or two. Let him try to help us win the league. If he wants to leave at 27/28, then we can sell him for £50 million.

I cant see this at all. Man Utd are on a downward trajectory and he would not sign for Moyes full stop. There are so many examples of promising players moving to teams who pack their squads with foreign imports and their development stopping in its tracks because they never play. Andros Townsend was almost written off by Spurs but proved what he could do with regular football at QPR.

Also, we are in a Champions League spot and with additional investment in this window can finally sustain it. We want to be signing players and retaining our top talent. If we do sell, it will be squad players WE decide are surplus to requirements. The mentality of this club is finally toughening up as it becomes successful, so we don't need to sell to Man U or anyone else.

The question is: Why would Ross Barkley want to play for Moyes? He showed zero faith in him. He gets to play regularly for his favourite team and long-term I can see him being captain.

I bought into the once a blue only a blue thing and was devastated when Rooney left so I don't have heroes anymore and I don't believe RB is going to do anything other than what is best for RB. Any notion that he will sacrifice his own interest for the good of EFC is naive in the extreme.

That said as cynical as I am I don't think RB will leave in Jan. Rooney comparisons are pointless as he could walk into any team in the world more or less at 17. It's Jan and even our board will be able to resist until after the WC and if and when he does go it will not be to play for the guy who didn't give him a game for two years. Whoever in here said this was no more than MEN acting as a voice for Utd to destabilise the player and our efforts at a top 4 place was exactly right.

Looking forward to the day when we are no longer a selling club but one that can tell the other clubs to do one!
Not sure when this will be, but live in hope!

Too many of our supporters are in the "plucky Everton" mindset. Someone offers your £50 mil? Take it! Don't bother building a team, don't worry about selling top assets to rivals. Allow yourself to be flattered by "bigger" (ie richer) clubs.

The bottom line is that until we get progressive new ownership not reliant on player sales as the only strategy for income generation, we will always be vulnerable to predators such as Man Utd. And this bid for Barkley is as much about trying to reinforce an inferiority complex in Everton as it is about boosting their squad.

The difference now is in Bobby we have a manager who wants to win, who doesn't respect the Established order and who is giving us our belief back. The Board must back him, but equally the supporters should back him, stick two fingers up at arrogant rich clubs, repel all boarders and not see the money as the be all and end all. I am in this for the silverware and for the first time in years I can scent some.

And another thing. I reckon it would be be good for football if Man Utd didn't qualify for Europe....

My mate just told me that RM has been quizzed by a reporter on the subject of MUFC's proposed bid - Roberto asked how much was the bid £50m? and added we won't be sending our players out on loan in January!!

Dennis #260
I think we have to watch out for the Arse putting a bid in for Seamus! God forbid

Patrick just watched it on SSN Roberto just swatted Moyes and Utd with that one. quite literally everyone laughing at them. He more or less called them small time nobs without actually saying those words.

Hee turned it round saying "WE" are looking to bring new faces in and will be stronger at th end of the window - surprised he didn't say "rooney is on our radar".

He just ripped the piss - the man is an evertonian.

"...we won't be sending our players out on loan in January!!"

Now that's funny. The sub-text: piss off, Moyes.

Brilliant that Roberto. Truly top drawer response.

if Moyes was still in charge it would have been: "No way, not £50m, not at all. We'll work closely with Man Utd to try and resurrect the careers of their fringe players while reducing the price to around £10-£15m"

Interviewer: What concerns do you have about the speculation a club like United could come in with a £50m bid for Ross Barkley?

Martinez: £50m?? No, we wouldn't let anybody go on loan in January!

Ha ha ha. Genius.

Loving the quote from Roberto.

Looking on Twitter, some Man Utd fans are going nuts and asking how he can have the temerity to say such a thing – Easily, he's the Everton manager and he's looking down on you, that's where his confidence comes from.

Looks like JH is on his way to West Ham and if I'm reading it correctly it's free.

RM sure has the best comebacks! IMWT!

Why does RM think we have financial stability? We make an operating loss every year don't we?

Shane, just saw that. ~£2M off our books then. Money for young players? Can't say I'm pleased but have to make the best of the situation. He was out the door for years now.

I think Ross Edwards and someone else may have had a bet on him leaving for above/below £ 5m. That puts that to bed.

A number of posters mention our board and its importance role in keeping RB.
I think this particular board without a second thought would sell their own grandmothers and 'cry crocodile tears all the way to the bank

I think Bill would be swinging from a lamp-post if he lets another 'Rooney' go. Although the world has changed etc etc blah di blah, some of us can remember when we were the equals of Man Utd, both in terms of team and finance. Until our generation has died out, and less demanding fans form our support-base, this feeder-club approach represents an embarrassment and source of real anger for our club.

I would think it quite likely that if Barkley were sold under his nose by Bill, Roberto would resign. His stock is sky high at the moment and he would easily find another position.

Dick,

Absolutely right. When you shake hands with Widow Twanky count your fingers afterwards; and if you want to see him spout bullshit wait for his lips to move. Insincerity comes off him like a miasma and I wouldn't put anything past him.

The chances of keeping Barkley long-term with him in charge? It's an absolute possibility.

Brian (494), that would be the case if there is no internet. As we stand right now, we'll attract considerable amount of interest, expecting us to grow onto the big stage. I supported Everton through the dark ages and even I expect big things to come as we grind forward surviving in EPL. Ambition is in everyone dear friend, and no one can swallow selling a Rooney for cheap, much less a Rooney and a 'Zidane'.

1 there is no way Barkley would want to play for Moyes over Martinez. Have people not seen Barkley's tweets!

And you don't sell any of your best players mid season. Suicide.

The paper rubbish is getting really tiresome already.

What sort of lad is Ross, anyone know?

What little I've seen of him & its only a stab in the dark, he seems a quiet sort, that wasn't in the front row when the were dishing out the gray matter.

I could be doing the lad a disservice, just the impression I get?

Wouldn’t it be nice, just for once, if our club could leak to the media that we’re interested in Rooney?

Now that would be a fitting end to a great year.

My 2p.

1. If we do sell it should not be to any of our rivals, so ManU are out. For me it would have to be to a foreign club, and I can't see Real Madrid or Barca coming in just yet.

2. If we've any pretensions of making CL we have to keep our best/most promising players. RM promised CL to our beloved Chairman and this was said to have impressed Billy no mates. So if they're both singing from that hymn sheet, how can they countenance selling Ross?

I’ve just seen the RM interview.

He’s definitely a class act – professional, unflustered, positive and charismatic.

There was no whining, whinging “philosophy” (make a note Brenda), evasiveness (Wenger), miserable dour gingerness (Moyes), general crap (Mourinho), projects (AVB), or general dodginess (Harry the Twitching Rubber-faced Spiv).
Without going over-the-top, the man is a credit to Everton FC. He, like us, is a cut above the rest.

At this point in time I can’t think of a better reward all round than for us to win something this year (and I include top 3 in that in addition to humiliating the rs at their place).

We don’t know the facts but I believe he did actually turn the rs job down a couple of years ago because they were so obviously beneath him.

Nice one Mike.

Ol Davey boy has allowed us to stick two fingers up to him and anyone else who wants Barkley or Baines by paying well over the odds for Felli.

Thanks for that Dave, see you in 18 months when we need to pay down another £5m, you just can't pay enough for Ossie and Hibbo's experience.. Come in agent Moyes.

Raymond, same feeling I got there. Good head on his shoulders too. I feel the comparison to Zidane is quite apt in many ways: position, style, attitude. We might all be wrong and this might be a facade but for now, there is no reason for us to doubt that this kid is smart enough to look beyond the papers and perform for us on the field.

United will be desperate to flash the cash this window following another home defeat today - why don't they make a bid for Ratboy?

Just sounds like Man Utd tactics to unsettle the boy to me.

Wenger did the same with Coleman just before we played the Arse; it’s all head-games, I think.

[Note to self: turn auto correction off, sorry mate.]

Pat (#010) – I don’t honestly see the shite selling to Man Utd, no matter how much they offer.... do you?