Everton hope to announce Sandro transfer

I would like to see us go for Andre Gray plus any one of Aguero, Giroud, Vardy and then we will have replaced Lukaku, Valencia and Kone – and we will have improved the squad to top 4 levels.

"Sandro Ramirez passes medical, set to sign for Everton."

Wondered whether he was mulling things over after nothing being announced after the weekend talks. Splashing over 㿞m in day must have shown him we're serious about our Champions League aspirations. I'm made up about this deal happening.

I'm of the similar mindset as you. I hope this is the Valencia replacement and not the Lukaku replacement. We need to keep in mind that Kone and Valencia both left this Summer, so regardless how poor they were, they still need replacing.

We can't loss those two plus Lukaku and be pleased with on the likes of Sandro coming in. If Sandro signs and Lukaku stays another year we will have made a massive improvement. If Lukaku goes then we will absolutely need to get in additional quality up top in addition to Sandro.

But putting that aside, I really hope this move is wrapped up and he can do the job in England.

However, Cleverley's fee of £8mil, means we have £23mil left.

If we sign a defender next, it'll confirm my thoughts to me.

The above is on the basis of not selling Lukaku and Barkley. If they're sold, plus other players, our budget increases and we have a need for further signings...

This isn't based on anything but my own thoughts... no proof and I may just be chatting nonsense.

So probably a keeper, central midfielder and striker all signed up and ready to join on 1st July. Can't ever remember Everton doing so much business this early.

Still need a few more but an excellent start so far. Hopefully at least one defender and another striker to come.

Cash will be due from Cleverley, McGeady, Niasse, Deulofeu transfers to whatever degree. We may well sell Barkley and Lukaku and they will need replacing too. So with the three in and possibility of Keane, Sigurdsson, then that's a decent start.

Let's see where we end up and enjoy the experience which is a new one in the last 30 years for Evertonians.

Stress not!

Shouldn't all TW posts come with that last disclaimer?

Do we need a centre-back if Funes Mori is fit again? Interesting to see where we go next. Perhaps not another central midfield player.

I am more excited by Sandro than any other player we have been linked with. I really believe he is the real deal. Combative, direct, quick, skillful, has a great free kick... and all for €6 million!!

For what it is worth, this is a monumental deal. To attract a player like this – where Everton isn't the first choice or the obvious choice for him – speaks volumes for the club we are now.

A truely excellent signing, with power and pace. Big rom stays and we have a genuine front two who would cause major problems for defences.

Like others, I would like to see a right back brought in and winger. Although if Deulofeu comes back I think he would get the protection he needs with these two.

COYBs – a fantastic season is ahead of us. In terms of the season, would people take a top 6 finish and Europa League winners?

If you look at the total money spent, 㿦m once this deal is concluded, you're looking at 㿀m on each of the 3 players based on Sandro's true value. It's very good business and I defy the most negative TWer to say otherwise.

Providing the talent is there, which it is in spades, these traits in the right player, in the right team structure and club atmosphere are priceless. My gut tells me this guy will be the fan's favorite by a country mile!

I don't have the wisdom or wizardry to understand the subtleties of Moshiri's business plan but bugger me, there seems to be a tremendous sense of jigsaw pieces starting to form a recognizable picture: debt paid off; new stadium progressing; nervousness regarding the Commonwealth Games running track dispelled; USM Finch Farm sitting quietly in the background; Koeman with his doubters but still seeming to do the right things.

I think Moshiri is really starting to deliver and he seems to make the right decisions regarding selecting and working with people; Koeman & team, Walsh, Meis, Anderson et al.

COYB and thank you Mr Moshiri.

Is this really happening?

Am I in a parallel universe to the one at the end of the season?

I'm going for a lie down...

Three good signings and more to come. No doubting Moshiri's ambition, surely?

But Sandro is now set to be unveiled as an Everton player in the next 48 hours after successfully passing a medical to finalise his switch from La Liga.

Atletico Madrid were also interested in the 21-year-old but an appeal over their transfer ban was upheld, allowing Ronald Koeman's side to retake pole position.

Sandro scored 16 goals for Malaga last season, one which came under the gaze of the Everton manager as he and Walsh observed a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo.

Koeman's capture of the Barcelona graduate takes summer spending at Goodison Park to almost 㿨m following Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen‘s arrivals.

Obviously with big departures, there'll be a need for further arrivals.

Good sign for the future.

Thanks Mr Mo$hiri, Mr Ko€man & Mr Wa£sh.

I would like to see Siggy sign. Somebody pinch me!!!

Here's one:, Alan Stubbs says Barkley is Arsenal bound!

Sounds like you need chicken soup and some homemade gefilte fish.

Feel better soon.

At full strength we could be looking at something like this:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Williams Baines
Klaassen Gueye Schneiderlin
Sandro Bolasie
Rom Replacement

Reminds me a little of Collymore, certainly gets a shot in and from distance too, there's something we don't have right now.

Looks good. I was getting impatient for another signing.

Hoping for Keane & Siggurdsson next and a clear indication of what Lukaku and Barkley are doing.

This is the one signing I've really been hoping for. Let's hope it all goes through and it will really make a statement of our intent. One friend describes him as 'a predator' and that's just what we need.

This has a proper business plan written all over it and fits well with the "project" talk Ronald Koeman has mentioned many times.

Must be weird to have such a plan and keep the details quiet as we fans react, understandably, according to the news/result or even 2nd half of the match that day. Maybe they decided to test Barkley and Lukaku and their skill and passion. No idea their conclusion.

If it was me, and I am famous for being unable to "hold my water", I would just yell "we have a plan!

Maybe that is why Mosh is a billionaire and lives in Monaco and I am sat in my garden on a sunny English day pretending I too live in his sunny world!

Hats off to our club

"Another signing for @Everton: Sandro Ramirez is done & should be formally announced in 48 hours. He's passed a medical."

Not interested? Lol

To pick up a few queries in the comments, it's simply too early to know whether this is an addition to Rom or (part of) a replacement. I think we can be sure that if it's the latter, the club will have other targets lined up.

I also think fans should stop doing the in-out sums. We don't know the budget – it's as simple as that.

What we do know is that for the first time in living memory the club is prepared to spend and spend big before any sales. That's enough for me, for the time being anyway.

Seriously, 3 good quality transfers in a week is a bit much to comprehend. Love it!!!!!

Those starting fixtures are crucial as those are against direct rivals. Considering that, we are doing just what the doctor ordered for.

Besides this, has there been any news from Walsh's Italian adventure? Keeping my fingers crossed on Keita to replace Rom.

And Keane on Wednesday or Thursday.

Can you back that up at all, mate?

I posted earlier today about the rumour of Niang joining and like most I had reservations. That 'bullet' seems to have been dodged, as my brother in law, a Watford fan, was really confused as to how a player with such a big build an silky skill-set could only seem to want to play part-time when it suited him?

Ross is often accused of not fulfilling his potential, which I see as a bit different. Ross seems to need the situation and circumstances to be aligned just right in order to perform at his best level. Geri and Rom similar.

Tom Davies however seems to have the passion which drives you on, think of his goal against Man City? It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog is the expression that sums it up.

Looking at the YouTube clips of Sandro and his goals, plus hearing how he left Barcelona in search of playing opportunities, and getting a 'feel' for the quality and passion in his play is what seriously impresses me.

One of his you tube goal clips is sublime and makes the point. He starts the move with a clever swivel and chip on the by-line, still in his own half; feeds the player in front and runs like a robber's dog, couple of one two's, keeps going and makes the space for the return when the move was looking to break down, demands the return and finishes of with a reverse angle sweet finish.

In that move, which lasted about 7-10 seconds, he was only one player on the pitch you look at, focused completely on the goal and in control of his movement and others as well as the ball. That is what makes great players. Also he looks a nasty little bugger and a lot older than his years, which are also positives!

If we close the deal, then I really believe he and others around him with the right mentality and passion will achieve something next season. It's what Ronald wants from his pressing team and what Moshiri is paying for and expects from Ronald.

COYB.

Trying for Sandro tomorrow but it's Fathers Day so Wednesday is better.

Atletico Madrid's recent Champions League record is two finals, one semi-final and one quarter-final in the last four seasons. They are a top top side and they wanted him. That speaks volumes about his potential worth to me. Could be the bargain of the century!

Twelve players there, mate.

12 players.

No way in the world Geri belongs on that list.

He's an excellent crosser of the ball (far better than Bollasie) and I think he deserves one last chance... especially now we have all the extra Europa League games.

Or, could we be looking at a potential 𧶀 to 300m warchest?

Another wish of mine is it gives Deulofeu more comfort having a Spanish team mate, and it becomes more of a competition to him.

If he could step it up for us, with Sandro linking up with him, we could have some real pace in attack throughout the Europa League games.

I've just seen him on YouTube like most of us but he looks like he hass skills and has a good eye for goal and see's passes early when assisting. I think Everton will sign other strikers so don't worry.

We just need to sign a couple of centre-backs and I'll be happy. I still think we need a creative midfielder but sure Koeman and Walsh are aware of this. I think we will have at least 5 new players by the time pre-season starts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap_iLm66b-U

He's wearing #19. Numbers 9 and 10 put together.

What we need is someone else to enter the race so his price can rise to what we want.

I would normally take this all with a pinch of salt, but the same people were ahead of the media on Pickford and Klaassen, plus we really do look like we mean business this window.

Same source putting money on Sigurdsson signing for us too.

What a time to be alive!

Bottom line from our point of view is that if they don't pay what we want he stays. With two years left on Lukaku's contract, Everton are in a very strong position!

I reckon we'll go big perhaps.. £50 million or so on a James Rodriguez or Sergio Aguero, someone like that.

Bill, make sure you have got a new fax machine ready to go... with paper.

After last week I'm now a little more optimistic, making a 23-year-old keep our record deal, plus bringing in what appeared to be Koeman's main target has me believing more will follow.

Sandro is a no brained for us, he's young and promising, everything Kone isn't. Along with Kone leaving, we will more than likely lose all our other strikers, Niasse, Valencia and clearly Kone will be gone so a cheap deal for Sandro is a good one.

Rom will need replacing too, but with someone with more pedigree, its a shame Batshuayi moved to Lyon, but there's lots of other strikers around.

It's a tall order but if we can sign Michael Keane or a decent centre half, plus bring in a strong striker and Gylfi Sigurdsson or someone similar, we can afford to lose Rom and Ross and IMO it will mean we've improved.

Penny for Rom's & Ross's thoughts right now.

Last season everything went through Rom and when it didn't work we were shite. I can't see him in a team with these guys.

And with a change in style we may well have already replaced his goals... remembering that no other player managed to crack the 5 barrier in the league last season.

Of course, keeping him shouldn't be a problem if the team goes on to challenge for honours and a top four place. Lukaku was only 21 when he joined us, the same as Sandro is now.

Sandro has scored at a phenomenal rate when you consider Malaga are not one of the top six in Spain. With the right service he could easily be up there with Lukaku in terms of goals scored, plus, he also runs and runs and works for the team and doesn't just wait for others to create his chances for him. Get him in, please, Everton.

Great buy for Everton!

However, my only negative is that he looks so one footed it's beyond belief.
I see him more as an upgrade to Kevin Mirllas (who I like) than a replacement for Lukaku.

With that in mind, he still looks a very exciting prospect and I really hope we get this one over the line! Have we found our new dead ball specialist?

This isn't baseless Evertonian skepticism, I'm basing it on the fact he had a ٣.2m release fee.

He would only have a release that low if he considered Malaga a stepping stone, perhaps because he wasn't paid as well as he thought he deserved or because he wanted a bigger club but in either case I hope he is bought in and isn't another who believes he is destined for 'better' than the blues.

I think we can try it on with price for Lukaku (£100m no less) until January and see where we are.

Who do Tom, Dick and Harry play for, and would they be willing to Sell?

Harry plays for Spurs, Tom plays for somebody else (common name) and Dick is the Head of the RS, as far as I know!

It's great to be an Evertonian just now, eh? Ahead of the game in signing players. Who'd ever thought this might be the case even 1 or 2 years ago?

I like the thought of Koeman saying, behind closed doors, "Billy, I don't give a fuck what you think, we need players that commit to Everton and Rom and Ross don't. So let's just get on with it and piss them off. Get real!!"

Seriously, looks like he could be a handful and he can take free kicks.

Once word spreads that Everton are now a serious proposition, more quality will arrive.

He also appeared to be unselfish when others were better situated to score (then they missed).

For ٣ mil, it's a no-brainer.

I can easily see him playing alongside or behind someone who's a target man or even the attacking midfield position.

I've got a feeling that's the Koeman plan. Perhaps we'll find out next week.

Fascinating to see how this pans out with the Rom saga still continuing but changing the plan of attack would be welcome.

Jeez... even the new home shirt is starting to look good!

Batshuayi seems the best fit. An out and out goal scorer who is has better movement and mobility than Rom, if not the strength and power. He's not had much of a chance at Chelsea and needs to be first choice next year if he's to have any chance of ousting Romelu for the World Cup.

It's great to be a blue at the moment. Ronald is bringing in real talent who are on long-term deals. COYB!!!

He is a goalscorer and technically gifted. His pace is lacking but he will deliver 15-20 league goals if he starts every game. Someone like him alongside a young striker (Sandro) could work well.

Rumours that we are interested in Dembele too, who would correspond with our clear desire to invest in younger players. He is really talented with lots of potential although I feel that he is a couple of years away from being a consistent goal scorer in a league as competitive as the Premier League.

Giroud –£20mil? Dembele – £30mil? And sell Lukaku for £70mil.

I've always liked the look of Iheanacho, who is well down the pecking order at Man City.

Bill: "Why not something in the middle - light cotton navy blue suit, WITH a tie but a tie that's kinda fun. Something that says 'Hey, guys, we've something to say, sure. But ultimately we're in the entertainment business so..."

Unless there's 48 hours of this happening, what does 'set to announce' mean?

Think Dembele is a really good call; Giroud is less likely – but entirely possible.

Lookman on left, Dembele down the middle, Sandro on right in a 4-3-3. That has great potential – speed, skill and attitude.

With Kone et al exiting and Europa League plus real top 6 intent, we will need a few more, so expect four forwards in total being signed. Then two midfielder, one centre-back and one full-back, bringing it to eight first-teamers in. Two down, six to come.

He probably wants an Aguero or a Verrati, players of that ilk – not some kid from Sunderland or a relatively unknown player from Spain.

Not that I'm bothered what he thinks tbh. If he wants to stay, great! If not, well 䀁m min and ciao.

Baines needs replacing, not reinforcing, and we need a decent right-back to cover for/replace Coleman, who is closing in on the 30-year-old mark in the next year or so, and coming back from an injury he may not fully recover from.

Left-back will need looking at sooner rather than later though.

You're right that is what is says...now!

With the quality of players under 23 on our books, it would be fair to say that we are in the top five teams in Europe with players that age.

The Sandro deal is an absolute bargain when you think of transfer fees this year. This is probably the equivalent of paying £500k 2 years ago. Heck, Kone was £6m 4 years ago!!

No to Giroud – too old and no pace, we want freshness and not players looking for a last big fat contract. Keane next and a new left back is a must.

Get rid of Barry, Williams, Jagielka, Stekelenburg, Niasse, Pennington. None of these are good enough to play for EFC.

Deffo the best preseason of optimism and hope for years... but this is Everton... this time the club seems very serious.

Is right as no time now, the squad will need to bed in, in very little time.

What's Our Name?

I think we've already seen how a mix of dour Davie's defensive side mixed with Martinez's flair worked in the first season under Martinez. Great times until Roberto forgot his pledge when he took the job – that he wouldn't make changes for the sake of it and would only build on the good things we had.

I think the well drilled defensive play under Moyes had been coached out of them by the end of the season when we lost to Saints and Palace.

It looks like it's going to be great times again this season. I actually can't remember a time I've been so optimistic and looking forward to the new season.

I don't get why Ross has not singed up... I can't see him getting much game time if he leaves for a so-called bigger team... He also won't be doing his England career any good. Then again, who wants to be part of that crap set-up?

However the price is irresistible for a player that age and with a reasonable record at U21 level for Spain.

Hopefully but far from a slam dunk. Keane and Sigurdson would be very good and maybe something spectacular should we sell Rom.

Cheers for your response, mate, and although I said I'm not sure about Sandro replacing Rom, I'm not completely writing his chances off, I'm more so just saying Rom's 26 goals is a tall order for a lad so young and inexperienced within our league.

I'd be buzzing if we had nicked a replacement for Rom for that money but, with Kone, McAleny, Valencia all gone and Rom and Niasse very likely to follow, I'd say we need more strikers.

I myself would be happy with Giroud, he's a proven 15-goal-a-season Premier League man, but again there's plenty of others out there.

Iheanacho would be my number one priority, and would only cost around 㿀m, he could massively lighten the load on Sandro.

One I'm not convinced about is Dembele at Celtic, mainly because there league is utter shite.

As for Fernandes we were lucky to miss that one: another one with loads of talent but very lazy bones and thought he was better than he was.

I think some very good players have played and learnt a thing or two up there. Don't write them all off, that also goes for the so called lesser Dutch and Belgian leagues as well. I think he's stood out and has enough skill, speed and footballing brain to cut it anywhere as he matures.

Taking the highs and lows both on and off the park into account, I can't remember a time when I've felt the excitement of expectation as much as I do right now. The quality of the squad being built is awesome! I pinch myself every time a new player is unveiled, after so many years of disappointing wheeling and dealing in the market.

At last there will be a strong group to nurture the wealth of great young talent coming through the Academy, a great look for the future of the club.

The producer told the video intern to find a clip of Sandro for the story. The intern pulled up a computerized database of Sandro video and clicked on the entry of his most recent goal, and it was automatically pulled out of the video library and inserted into the show. I doubt anybody even looked at it before it aired.

If he is indeed a quality player, we need to get his signature on paper double quick.

'Awsome' you call it – and you were about in the days of The Catt and Kendall. Really?

Time to be realistic, Phil. It's been this way since time began, or at least football began. A "young PROSPECT" capitals intentional, is just that - someone (a "prospect") who would undoubtedly benefit from playing experience at a higher level but an experienced player will almost certainly get the nod.

Did you complain when we signed Young, Vernon, Wilson, Ball and all the great players from the '60s because in doing so we halted the development of a "young prospect"? For every Colin Harvey there is a Gary Lineker. How do you think our team will fare next season with a team of youngsters?

I yearn for the days of the late 50s and early 60s when the first you knew about a new signing was the Echo placard with the words, "New Everton signing". It seemed to be happening every week. None of this media speculation fuelling the fans frenzy.

Don't get me wrong. I would love to see our youngsters come through and establish their places in the team. We all know that it's only going to happen in a very few cases. I think this is a more pragmatic way to look at it.

Phil, you do write some drivel at times. I see no reason at all for that pessimism. Apologise now, sir! And I'll apologise when either of them goes!

Anyone else seen this film before?

just saying like

I can just see him now muttering at his computer, "This'll wind 'em up, he he."

You're right, I said the same thing about Van Dijk too and clearly I got that one wrong!

If Koeman and Walsh want Dembele, then I'm on board; it's just a thought process that you can't really judge a player in that league – especially when you are aware that Hartson and Sutton hit 20+ a season for years up there.

Everton said 48 hours – it seems like 532.

Come on, Everton, we need a striker like yesterday. Move yer arse an' get it sorted.

I say we will not be beholden to any player. He will never be bigger than us.

Rumour has it that he has agreed personal terms, passed his medical, but didn't want to do the official signing until after the U21 tournament.

As always, wait until you see him in an Everton shirt.

Which is it? Do you like young players to make the grade coming through the ranks at Everton, or do you like the club to go out and buy young players from other clubs, or to be honest, Phil, do you like anyone, anywhere at any time?

It's nearly one o'clock in the morning, I've not long come in, had a good few, I'm making sense to myself but maybe not to many on here, is it me or does Phil drive everyone a bit round the twist?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandro_Ram%C3%ADrez

While it might seem a tall order for Sandro to take Rom's place, I wouldn't expect him to directly replace him in terms of actual goals scored, but see him as scoring and making goals for those around him, something Rom has been pretty woeful in terms of his overall team play.

Sandro will also bring something new to the team in that he is a winner. He already has winners medals in the Champions League, La Liga, and the Copa del Rey – something Lukaku wants but will probably never have. Sandro is three years younger than Rom, a bit like the Lukaku who went to West Brom and did so well.

I have a feeling that if nothing happens to upset this move, he could turn out to be a real asset and a crowd-pleaser for years to come. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to give him the Number 9 shirt.

Time, as they say, will tell.

When you've dragged your bladdered carcass in at one o'clock in the morning with a belly full of brown bitter, there are two things you should never do:

One is to go onto YouTube or Amazon and listen to music, which is why I've got the Bee Gees Greatest Hits and a crap Sixties compilation in my collection.

The other is to post on ToffeeWeb and get into a discussion with Phil or Darren. I thought you'd know better.

But you are correct over Phil: he means well and is a good Blue but doesn't half moan about our team.

With Darren, I agree with most of what he says so don't have much problem with his point of view; however I'm hoping he is wrong about Koeman. Things look to be on the up at Goodison and going into Bramley-Moore...

He will step up if given the chance and he has areas to improve and work on – but all natural at 20 years of age! He has also had experience living away from home – first Fulham now Glasgow – and that helps mature a person. He obviously focuses on his career and has bags of confidence. Big plus for me.

Get 3 or 4 talented, athletic, productive strikers with winners' mentality and we will have a good mix for 2017-18.

It's been days since we signed a first team player... get a move on and show some ambition, FFS.

[Tee hee...]

Jimmy Riddle... forward? Attacking mid?

Any videos?

Regardless of your view of that league, a good player is a good player, like Van Dijk, Wanyama, Forster, Robertson. Worst case scenario will be the profit we make when we sell him.

There will be no potential profit in the deal for Everton as Celtic want crazy money for him.

I know he is a little older and more developed now but he didn't exactly fire them in from everywhere at Fulham. I also remember, we were linked with him in Martinez days.

I just think there are better options out there at the money quoted (north of 㿔m).

Sorry, mate – I have to agree with Thomas (#208). Over-rated, extremely over-priced, and not even the most prolific goalscorer at Celtic!

㿊m+ is a lot to spend on potential that has only been shown in the Scottish Premier League. Worth bearing in mind that Scott Sinclair got more goals and assists for Celtic than Dembele last year; would people be happy spending that wedge on him?

Personally, I'd rather go for Batshuayi who's only a few years older but has scored goals in a tougher league and represents much less of a risk for probably a similar price. Other than that there don't seem a lot of strikers (in our bracket) around.

Dolberg and Iheanacho look interesting but risky like Dembele. Giroud and Bacca might be two more experienced and reliable goalscorers. Other than that, I can't see too many obvious fits with strikers likely to get the 15+ goals we might need to replace Lukaku.

Others aforementioned such as Niasse and Pennington are players who may yet figure in some way depending on who else Koeman brings in. Certainly another striker if Rom. goes which seems certain to play with Sandro and Bolasie when he is fit.

Mirallas is average and will not have a starting role often but some of the youngsters will be chomping at the bit to secure places. Let's not get carried away with Dembele if the cost is too high as scoring in the Scottish Premier League is not to be compared with the premier leagues of Europe.

That said, Dembele is 20 – what more is a 20 year old expected to do, than score 32 goals in 48 games for Celtic? He also managed 15 in the Championship as a 19 year old. He is clearly a talent with huge potential, and that will cost 㿊mil in this market. As potentially available younger strikers go, I'd consider Dembele and Dolberg, and Iheanacho too.

It's right to say that the Scottish Premier League is of a lower standard, but it's also not sensible to write a player off just because he plays at that standard. Some great players have come from the Scottish league, and plenty from supposedly weaker Dutch leagues too.

With Dembele we'd need to be patient, much like with Pickford, but the aggressive targeting of youngsters who can contribute now and grow into potentially world class players is something I'm utterly behind. It's the only way we can bridge a gap marked by wage and budget disparity.

Of course he would be a gamble, no more than the many Italian/Spanish guys we've been linked with.

As long as we bring in two decent, mobile goalscoring strikers, I'll be happy!

I remember seeing him a few years back when Fulham were in the Premier League, and thought he stood out then. He was 17 at the time and showed some class at that age.

I think that there's quite a bit of criticism about him as he plays in a weaker league. When he left Fulham at the end of his contract there was a raft of Premier League and international teams interested in him, including us.

Rodgers had been following him for years with Liverpool and took the opportunity to bring him to Celtic. While some might think it a strange choice, it was pretty sensible on his behalf. He was going to score a lot of goals, which can boost his confidence, while also playing regularly in the Champs League.

Also, while this may not be a huge factor, he was able to win the league, which may not mean much but imagine some players would want some silverware to show their kids when they retire.

Celtic gave him the opportunity of first team football and allowed him to develop. More than likely if he had gone to a Premier League team last year, he would have to make do with the U23s and a handful of Premier League starts.

Yes he was the leading scorer last season but as I say not the most prolific. Leigh Griffiths was the most prolific, he missed a lot of the season but more prolific.

I'm not for one minute advocating we buy Griffiths but at lease he puts himself about, is happy to play the loan striker and will run until he drops.

Dembele, in my opinion, is a bit more Lukaku-like. He's okay when the ball is played to him but not too happy to go and get it.

Certainly there were games last season when Dembele went missing.Maybe he will come good and play at the highest level but prices being quoted for him are crazy.

http://sportwitness.co.uk/i-don't-know-anything-everton-target-speaks-transfer-amid-claims-nearly-done/

Maybe playing games with media, but knowing how long this is taking to sign off on, and also the fact that no-one at Everton has said a word, this is probably not happening.

However, if a move to Everton is in the works, the player isn't aware of it, as he told El Mundo when the Spanish newspaper interviewed him on Tuesday, with the player currently with the Spain U21 side at their Euros.

When asked about the move, he said: “I don't know anything. I'm focused on the Euros”.

Nothing has been said by the club and the rest is pure speculation. I hope we are signing him but who knows.

The European Under 21 tournament doesn't finish until 30th June so, if we are waiting until it's over, then we have another 10 days.

Obviously it's the Swan thing, beautiful and serene on the surface but paddling like hell underneath.

I would have Plan B in place if I were Walsh!

Yes? Then sign here.

No? Then do one. Plenty of better players out there.

It should be signed, sealed and delivered by now. I fear something has happened and it's going to be total fuck up.

We just have to sit back and concentrate on some of the other countless players we've been linked with.

How many of the players you mention actually spoke about the transfer until they were in an Everton shirt? ...approximately none!!!!!

Of course he could just think we're a second rate club and be hoping for a better offer, or Deulofeu could have told him that Koeman is a huge bellend. Time will tell.

I hope we get him but it's not gonna happen If he won't sign the contract.

Time to move on.

All the reports saying this is done and dusted... Not done until he is under contract...

Sandro to sign the Wednesday after the Portugal game (posted 17 June) when everyone else was claiming he'd be signing next 48 hours.

If he signs today... hats off to you sir! And if Keane signs today or Thursday... I'll be coming direct to you and never reading anything else again!

Announcement soon...

Sandro deal was done on Wednesday; hopefully I'll get some more information on Keane today or tomorrow.

It seems that you are certainly one of the new "ITKs' on this site.

Keep your ear to the ground and keep us informed.

Hopefully your prediction regarding Keane is also correct and we can look forward to that one crossing the line soon too.

Any other hot tips?

Ear always to the ground .

Any feedback on why the delay in the official announcement is taking so long?

Tried the oil on the Jersey Royals – as suggested and cooked them at the recommended temperature.

Haven't been able to get close enough yet to see what they taste like.

Surely it would be better to announce them as soon as they sign so other targets think this team means business?

Dragging on this though; the Liverpool Echo got it down as completed so either he has signed or some bad kopite in the Echo office is taking the piss!

Shame... mind you he does look heavily dependent on his right foot.. lol