Everton to hijack Hammers bid for Traoré

Traoré looks very good and very strong in possession using his body well. Mind you the defending is pure garbage on the YouTube show pony reel here:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3yqzao2Oqbw&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D3yqzao2Oqbw

Just watched a video of that Traore... Jesus, for a 6ft-8in lad he's fast as fuck.

Agree there, Jim, the way Traoré uses his body to shield and move the ball looked outstanding.

He's signed for EFC, apparently... snubbing West Ham (per 101 goals).

Just read on The Telegraph on line that this Traoré character could be out for a month with a hamstring injury. Beggars belief ......

You doubting Thomases. I've never heard of this Traoré fella (most Traoré's are shit) but once again Roberto surprises us all. The lad had a medical at WHU today but Roberto has grabbed him from under their noses. Get in, Roberto!

Mike, if he just past a fitness test for west ham how did he do his hammy in? Running away from big Sam?

Colin, here's the direct line from The Telegraph:

However, in a further twist it has emerged that Traoré may not play for at least a month after suffering a hamstring injury in training.

He pulled his hammy legging it from Upton Park, Walford Square or whatever that shithole's called.

Mike, I read that earlier on. Would we get an injured player in, albeit on loan? I doubt it but it could be true I suppose.

The problem would be the work permit issue, just saw this post

"Unconfirmed reports are circulating tonight that Lacina Traoré has snubbed West Ham and is heading for Everton.

Twitter is ablaze with the story which if true would fly totally in the face of work permit regulations covering the player's move to the UK.

It took two days for the permit to be granted and under its terms West Ham United became the sponsor of the player named on the work permit – Lacina Traoré.

We were told by a spokesman: "This is not transferable without the permission of the club and the Home Office. The club would need to submit a change of employment application to Home Office to change details on the work permit. Any other club would not be able to make a fresh work permit appeal as rules forbid hearing appeals for the same player within a four month period."

At this moment the stories are unconfirmed but it seems that if the player is heading for Merseyside the permit regulations have been well and truly breached and that a huge legal battle could be about to erupt between the Hammers and the Toffees if this turns out to be the case."

This Traoré is a common name isn't it. There seems to be thousands of them plying their trade across Europe.

Colin, I doubt it as well but anything's possible ...... Rod Belfitt, Glen Keeley, Per Krøldrup .....

To counter that, it's also reported in a newspaper so I take everything with a large pinch of salt until they actually sign.

I've seen Traoré a few times. No thanks. Dribbles with his knees. Okay for West Ham or Stoke.

Traoré story has legs. But ..... It’s Djimi Traoré!

Hope not!

Have West Ham said they applied? May have just been presumed by press...

The Mail are saying this "West Ham have yet to process the paperwork as they have concerns about a hamstring injury the player suffered earlier this month."

Was it Willian who had a work permit for Spurs but ended up at Chelsea the next week?? I do enjoy the transfer gossip. Anything is possible but I'm wise enough now just to wait until some is holding up a scarf at Goodison or a shirt at Finch Farm.

Colin, I reckon all these you-tube clips are put together by their agents using FIFA 14 and CGI technology — because every player is shown to be a near world-beater. I'm going to get an agent and see if I can gain a contract with a professional club just by virtue of YouTube — more chance of that than winning the lottery, how long have I got? 14 days - I'll let you know if I'm successful.

Hamstrung and no work permit... Come on, Roberto, get a grip man — we have mostly successfully defended your purchases of Koné et al but even us optimists would have difficulty defending this if it's true.

Think we have to remember, this is all paper talk and a frenzy on Twitter.

Just read the Lacina Traoré rumour. If Martinez plans to hold back until the summer to see where we stand with Lukaku then this would be an excellent stop gap loan. The guy looks like a best and would act as excellent competition for Romelu. Imagine this guy coming on for the last half an hour against a defence softened up by Lukaku!

Not a keeper as Monaco clearly want him for next season, but he could add that extra boost we need in the push for the Champions League.

Traoré's in general are not good footballers.

Love to see Big Sam's ugly mug. Well done Roberto!

Let's hope so. This guy will be providing a massive threat by just peppering the area with crosses.

Him and Lukaku would be an immense partnership.

Looks a bit Crouchy to me if you look at YouTube . all his goals seem to be 5 yard tap-ins. Was hoping for dynamic pacy forward who could make his own goals . We'll see

I'm going to wait on Phil W's assessment here, if he says good, steer well clear, if he says shite, I'm all in!

Mike, a tap-in 6'8 striker might be exactly what we need we create so many opportunity but score very little

For a big lad he has not got too many headers on that highlight reel.

5 yard tap-ins mike? I saw a few left footed 40 yarders on the old YouTube. And he's quicker then a liquefied dump.

This fella wouldn't be for me. He is very gangly and never seems to have the ball under control.

Think we need to buy a striker as all these loans mean that you have to start again every year.

Either he's amazing or playing against a pub team post rave 1989

Kev # 592 - I believe Phil was recently in the news looking for his hard drive with £4m worth of Bitcoins on that he had thrown out.

That's where Bill's put all the transfer money on a missing lap-top with zillions of pounds worth of Bitcoins on it. The lap-top can be easily identified as it has a photo of the boys pen on it and a team photo from the 50s if the photos have been removed just check to see if it has classic hits from the 50s on it courtesy of BK productions. Password possibilities include DaveyBoy, Hickson, PJiscrap, IAM4ever@Everton.

Can't think of anyone less like a Martinez player. Less likely to play slick one-twos with Pienaar, Osman and Mirallis. The street is knee deep in red herrings and it stinks.

Willian'd! Amazing if true.

He actually looks a quality player. Likes to attack defences strikes the ball well and knows where the goal is. What's not to like?

The Telegraph article states that he may be injured for a month after doing in his hamstring. Surely it doesn't make sense to bring in a player on loan for the last five months of the season when he'll be recovering from an injury for a fifth of that time, not to mention then getting him back up to match fitness?

Ideally, we need to get some quality in who can hit the ground running.

Peter #607 What is Willian'd!, I apologise if it's obvious but I can't work it out.

This sounds a no-goer like the Jones, Samaras rumours.

Willian is a player who took a medical at Spurs and joined Chelsea.
Traore took a medical at West Ham and allegedly joining us. Hence he has Williand'

Just been reading that as he got his work permit on appeal through West Ham, it can't be transferred to another club and another club can't appeal for 4 months. If that's the case, file under non-starter!

Cheers James although it looks like it is much ado about nothing if John #619 is correct.

This guy would be a quality loan for us. He looked great at Anzhi and is deceptively fast. If this is true I think we are all good on the striker front! I remember the first few times I saw him (although admittedly this was 1/2 years ago now so I may be talking nonsense now!) thinking 'if only we could get a lad like that in'. I also laughed to myself while we were in the process of doing our summer dealings chuckling to myself (in despair) thinking 'if only we could get someone like Lukaku... what a ridiculous dream... Oh well, lets see what past-it Saha type we end up with...'

Roberto, I love ya!

I knew nothing of this bloke until about 20 minutes ago, and I know YouTube can be deceptive, but first impressions are that he looks like a gangly goal poacher who can play a bit. So yeah, like Peter Crouch.

I don't fancy him one bit. Next.

FA rules for work permits.

The four months period relates to unsuccessful application and reapplication by the same club.

Signed by financial giants Monaco for €18M. Must be shite then, James... ;)

Anyone remember the Traoré who played for the RS, he was a defender and he was absolute gash. Even the Kop use to sing, "Its the twat at the back that'll get Houlier the sack, that's Traoré"

As someone has already commented, loads of Traorés — none of them seem to be any good.

Personally I'd try Mirallas up top as we now have cover right mid.

Just when RM is bringing silky football to Goodison, it seems we'll be signing Big Dunc II or Brett Angel II. Say it aint so.

I'm not a fan of YouTube clips either but in the cska4eva video you couldn't compare him to Crouch or Ferguson. No long balls into the box headed home. Plus points are that he looks quick, strong, can use both feet and finish. I can't tell what his touch is like and it is the Russian League but, as said on here before, if Roberto thinks he's a good choice then that will do for me.

No shirt or scarf in hand = not signed.

And I would rather we bought in a Vossen, Rhodes, Pelle than go for a loan again – unless of course Martinez is getting Traore on loan til the summer as cover and saving all our cash to put in a bid for Lukaku? Could be!

Surely a non-starter if he's out for another month?

I would much rather go all out for the Belgian kid and have a striker permanently signed because the chances of signing Lukaku are unlikely.

It may be that the striker(s) that RM has identified is(are) only available in the summer or too expensive now. As 6 month stopgaps go I would say this guy looks handy. Reminds me a little of Paolo Wanchope. Anyone remember him?

If he's out for a month that probably renders it not worthwhile but if he's fit and raring to go I think he would be good cover for Lukaku.

After all the raving about bringing back James Vaughan before the summer transfer window closed I'm surprised he's not had a mention this window.

Surely he would require a medical to prove his fitness before joining even on loan?

Its a bit of a worry that he may not play for a month because of a hamstring injury, we could end up signing him and he may on play two games. Also another thing that puts me off is that Monaco have only just signed him two weeks ago, so why do they want to loan a player they have just paid 8.6 mill for?

Then there is the factor, that if by some chance he does do well, the chances of us keeping him are nil...just like Lukaku, so we then have two strikers who are here now but are almost certain not to be here in 6 months.

I am not so sure this story has much in it, there are too many flaws in the plan for me to get too excited about this one.

Seems to be Roberto's Achilles, signing guys who don't actually play but keep each other company in the treatment room.

Kone and Alcaraz have hardly earned a cent of their mega money so Traore will be in good company. Add Sick-note Gibson and that's a sixth of the squad not fit for purpose !

And they say the Club has no money. No wonder!

The Club bloody well should have some money.

The money we have raked in over the past year.
The money from the tv deals.
The players like Neville off the wage bill, and soon Heitinga.

If we have no money then the question needs asking why?
Even Hull have outspent Everton since they came up.
7 on Jelavic. Shane Long..Tom Huddlestone.
How can that be?

So much for us having about 10 million to spend this month from the money left over and the Jelavic cash.

It makes me wonder where it has gone if all we are doing is chasing loan deals again.
Dont get me wrong, I have nothing against a loan deal, and if it works out then we have an option to sign him like for example Barry but when its players who are injured or we know we have scant chance of keeping it gets to a stage where we need to ask where the money is.

Alcaraz came on a free so he's hardly costing us mega money, and when he has played he looks the part. Kone picked up an injury, it happens.

Phil, I read somewhere at the start of the season (wish I could remember where) that Martinez had a great record at Wigan in terms of the limited amount of time out that injured players had – so quick were they back playing.

And I forgot that he signed Gibson!

Jim have a read of this http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/454563/Everton-s-Roberto-Martinez-We-want-to-keep-Rom-as-long-as-we-can

Viv - I don't care if he was signed by Barcelona for £100m, he looks like a gangly bag of shite to me mate. And that's both my personal and professional opinion.

Totally not the sort of player RM likes, or the type of player who fits into our new style of play. I can' for the life of me fathom why you're backing this with so much gusto - he looks terrible!

Professional opinion James? Are you a scout by trade?

It looks like Roberto is saving his pennies to buy Lukaku in the summer, that's why he wants a short term fix. I agree with Eric Myles, we should bring James Vaughn back.

Regarding the medical. I think that would only be an issue if we were signing him up permanently. For a half season loan I don't think it is so vital.

Monaco have recently brought in Radamel Falcao and James Rodri­guez. I seem to remember reading that Traoré had been brought in ready for next season when one of the Monaco forwards was expected to move on, but I can't remember the exact details.

If he is being brought in on loan to see us through until the summer when we can make a bid for Lukaku (presuming we nab a Champions League place) then this deal would make sense. As I have posted elsewhere, if Martinez spends big on a striker now it may scupper any chance he has of bidding for Lukaku in the summer.

This is a small snippet on the lad "His left-footed shots are thunderous, he is pacy and physically powerful, while, quite bizarrely for such a lanky player, heading is arguably his biggest weakness, as he himself readily agrees. Overall, we are dealing with a very unusual player who easily stands out and that is how he was discovered, in his homeland Ivory Coast, in the first place."

Meant to add, it also says he goes down a bit too easily!

YouTube clips make him look a bit like a Kanu who can run.

Cue 'good feet for a big man' commentary.

Drew. Yes. Ranieri is getting shut of 7 or 8 players but he says they're difficult to sell.

One thing to bear in mind is that Ranieri's signings recently have been of the top quality. Falcao and Rodriguez are two quality forwards, so it would seem strange for him to have brought in a dud for £15m! Ranieri is a very experienced manager and if he rates Traoré then the lad must have something going for him. I doubt Claudio spent £15m after watching a few highlight clips on YouTube!

Jarrod - yes, well no actually. I'm a professional-semi-professional-amateur armchair supporter, critic, manager and stuntman!

This bloke looks like Bambi on ice to me. A touch of Kanu and Wanchope about him I grant you, he just looks a bit slow for the Premier League.

Jim... We are not going to pay mega money in January, both because of the market, and because we have Lukaku for another six months. I don't think this is indicative of a lack of funds. Mark my words, we will spend in the Summer.

I would be overjoyed with this guy. Was really annoyed when I saw that West Ham were getting him.

Out of all the players linked, this one makes the most sense. Roberto wants to have the opportunity, if it presents itself, to buy Lukaku at the end of the season, so the pennies will have to be saved.

This lad looks quite good and being big, strong and pacey would occupy a few defenders, allowing the rest of the team to exploit positions whilst grabbing a few goals himself. He looks like the sort of forward Roberto would be interested in.

His goal ratio is okay but I think Roberto (although would like a prolific scorer) doesn't see the goal tally as the only or even main thing he wants in a forward as that puts too much reliance on one player. He wants goals coming in from all different area's and people so were stronger as a unit. Sorry, I know we all know that but, on that basis, I think this lad fits the bill.

I just cannot see this at all... Why would we sign some one who is likely to be injured for a month? I think Roberto will get some kid from Spain in on loan, I don't see a 6ft 8in striker fitting in to our style of play.

Jonathan Soriano? 16 goals in 17 games this season.

He was top scorer last season with 26 goals.

Despite his height he prefers to play the ball on the ground.
He looked useful when the RS played Anzi in the Europa League last season.

Agree with James E, his heading ability isn't his strongest trait. He's someone who will run at defenders and is good with both feet but is stronger on his left.

Traoré scored a brilliant goal against the RS for Anzhi in the Europa last season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE58kfVMXPs

Just heard he is having a medical at Finch Farm.

So it would appear to be true although as always we should wait until he holds that scarf up at GP.

I think its really good business. He would appear to be better than Jelly and is not costing much.

Breaking news is that Traore is not signing for West Ham. Are we in for him? Work permit and injury issues; would it be sensible or exciting?

West Ham saying they rejected Traore because of hamstring probs. Apparently, these will be overlooked by Everton?

Hmmmm, so we've gone from making up injuries with Fer, to ignoring real ones. A year is a long time at Everton!

Bobby's at Anfield, so he's obviously more of a delegator than Moyes ever was. Moyes would be giving him a rectal examination now and downloading NASA's application form for him to fill in.

.......and not signing players who were carrying injuries !

Jay #781, Did you also spot Riqulme's agent coming out of Finch Farm?

James: Why am I backing this guy with so much gusto? Because I've actually watched him play and he is very good. I judge players on talent, movement touch pace and other factors, not on youtube clips. What I can't fathom is how you can be so anti this guy when you openly state that you have no clue who he is.
"Didn't like the music on the youtube edit."
"Pass."

Also, 'a bit slow for the premier league?' One of his primary qualities is pace.
Silly.

Phil Walling, remember a few clubs hesitated over Ba (knee) and he turned out ok despite Jose never playing him. Fer was another one we chickened out of.

Phil, if it is a straightforward hamstring pull and he will only miss a couple of weeks then it doesn't seem enough to pass up the opportunity of getting in another young striker for the rest of the season.

It won't necessarily prevent us from bringing in someone else and he won't actually be urgently required unless Lukaku and (potentially) Mirallas pick up injuries at the same time. Until he is fully fit, Vellios can continue doing bench duty.

Phil, how do you know we've overlooked his supposed injury? Also, his injury was only paper talk.

If it was true, then surely West Ham would come out and say the reason they didn't proceed with the loan is because of injury, Also, Allardyce was interviewed and he never mentioned anything about an injury, he was actually gutted, saying he had done all the leg work and then an unknown club (us) came in and that was that.

Mark - hilarious!

Moyes would be giving him a rectal examination now and downloading NASA's application form for him to fill in.

A rectal exam, Mark? Would that us paying out of the a$$? MWHAHAHAHA!!!!! Oh! Oh! Oh! That's terrible. I ban myself for the next five minutes.

Think Moyes must have been out of town when we signed Darron Gibson.

I got the idea from a movie I watched once. It was from Europe and was discreetly packaged.

Viv, fair enough mate. I am indeed not exactly 'in the know' about this bloke having only just heard of him!

I bow to your superior knowledge (not sarcasm!) on this one :-)

If he turns out to be decent for the few months he's here, then I'm all for it. He does look a gangly piece of work though, that cannot be denied! YouTube makes him look kinda slow and a bit cumbersome, but of course that's not always the full story.

I am happy to eat humble pie.

So Big Sam appears to have confirmed the news that broke yesterday evening. It now looks as though Traore could very well be on his way.

Big Sam has given up the ghost and said Everton are now free to get him home office clearance. As WHU never registered him as their player he's free to seek other options. Similar to Will.I.AN at Chelsea.

It makes a lot of sense to bring Koné's fellow country man on loan, Traoré, to have a good look at him in order to decide whether to put in a bid for him at the end of the season, in case Lukaku decides to return to Chelsea after his seasonal loan ends.