Everton interest in Burnley's Gray

Red Echo reporting Everton have opened preliminary talks with Burnley for Gray.

I read somewhere that we might propose a direct swap – Gray for Niasse.

That would help poor ol' Niasse who's not been treated properly from the start – and I hope that Gray would be used as back-up to a better striker (like Ramires?!??!)

Not bad as a squad player and impact sub. I believe.Everton will buy two strikers plus Sandro. I hope the other is Dembele.

Gray did some silly things when he was young, I hope he has matured and learnt from his mistakes.

A little surprised at this, but his strike rate in the Premier League can't be argued with. Hopefully a late developer if he signs.

Sandro, Gray and one more to replace Lukaku, Valencia and Kone. Hopefully someone from the top drawer.

I hope not. Would he get anywhere near another top 6 side? No he wouldn't. He'd be our Danny Ings. Okay, maybe not that bad...

If we have any aspirations of being a top 4 contender, let alone winning the league, then buying second and third rate players like this is not going to cut the mustard.

Underrated and talented and could surprise many. Still only 25, he is quick, scores goals and seasoned in the Premier League, that's so important.

Also he scored against Liverpool – something that most of our strikers have not got on their CV. Dont knock it!

If this is Ron's (and not Walsh's) choice, I say "In Koeman We Trust".

Not for me. Highly questionable character with some offensive homophobic opinions, and it's not as if he's that good he's worth the baggage. Bargain basement shopping is all this is.

I think Burnley would be interested in a swap for McCarthy and Niasse for Keanne and Gray plus a couple of ££ + going their way.

We can't sign this guy. We have too many virtue-signalling snowflakes among our ranks to ever forgive him for his past.

We need depth and this is a player who, at the right price, could provide this.

He's a decent player who lost his mojo a bit after the ban. A move to us could give him the impetus to really knuckle down again. A replacement for either Valencia or Kone in the squad.

Although we have a number of promising youngsters we don't really have strikers who'll cut it at the top level. Dyson, Henen et al are not the answer. Tarashaj is another who seems to have lost his way. Is Leandro Rodriguez actually still playing football??

Supposedly Burnley fancy McCarthy and Niasse, and we like Gray and Keane. The Burnley players each have 1-year left on their deals, so 2 players and some (Cleverley) cash would seem to make everyone happy.

Still will be interesting to see what happens - Lukaku, Barkley, McGeady, and Deulofeu still to shift. That should give upwards of 𧴜m net spend before Moshiri has to even open his own wallet.

I still think a left back, right back, centre back, central midfielder, big striker and winger needed.

Has Moshiri not already opened his wallet with the purchase of Pickford, Klaassen and Sandro?

Let's look at this a different way. The basic remit of transfers for us current is that we are improving, right? Trading up on what we have.

So, as it stands, we are in the market for Sandro and Andre, who, if we are being fair are an immediate improvement on Kone and Valencia.

I have no problem with small improvements as they are the kind that build up over time. If someone told me six months ago in January, "Kone out and Gray in", I'd have said yes please. Gray would have a significantly better option off the bench in those last three games when Calvert-Lewin went to Korea.

Lukaku, Valencia, Calvert-Lewin, Kone, Niasse

Or

Lukaku, Sandro, Gray, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse (without any changes in the Lukaku drama)

I know what I prefer.

Kris, is Gray an improvement on Lukaku? No, so when he goes we are worse off with so-called improvements. The top six will be further away.

Hope so; I think he is really good.

Does anyone actually think Gray would be Lukaku's replacement, really?

Paul, at no point did I state that Gray is a replacement for Lukaku. He's a replacement for one of our substandard strikers that are behind Lukaku.

If and when Lukaku leaves I'll expect much greater talent to replace him. But when Valencia's loan officially expires (July 1st if I understand correctly) I'll happily accept Gray as a replacement.

Until we need to replace Lukaku, I will view every striking signing as a replacement for somebody behind him, or competition. Is Gray one of those?

Yes. Yes he is.

Ok Kris, but if Lukaku goes we are up the creek without a paddle, Gray, Sandro and Calvert-Lewin wont get the goals Rom got between them, I can't see the top six quaking in their boots with that three.

Will we get a top class striker to replace Lukaku? Because these three are not top class.

Brian, I'd also like to question whether anyonee genuinely thinks that we are going to ever have a situation where all three strikers on our books rival Lukaku in quality.

No team in the Premier League does. At best, a team may have two top quality strikers, if they place two up top together, but otherwise, quality of that magnitude will not sit on the bench.

What you can hope for is something like Lukaku on the pitch and Sandro on the bench. A 20+ goal striker on the pitch, a 15+ goal striker on the bench, and reasonable backup behind them made from experienced pros and youngsters with excellent potential.

So in other words: Lukaku, Sandro, Gray and Calvert-Lewin.

(Forgetting Niasse, even if my ultimate dream is a Niasse hat-trick to win an anfield derby)

TL-DR

We replace Lukaku when Lukaku leaves. Until then, no striking signing is seen to be his replacement, only backup.

Paul, my understanding would be that, because Lukaku will bring in such a ridiculous fee, all proceeds from his sale would be earmarked for his replacement.

Meanwhile, strengthening the team, across the board, is what the budget is for. A striker of Lukaku's quality would take most of our budget when until he leaves we don't actually need one.

Strengthen the team; if he leaves, then think about replacing him. We have another season to contemplate the problem with two left on his contract.

I can't see why this isn't a good move. We need more options up front and as previously noted, Valencia and Kone are due to leave shortly that leaves us with one out and out striker.

So Sandro, Gray and another to replace the inevitable departure of Rom; then I expect a top class forward to make up the 3. Koeman obviously fancies forwards who can hold the ball up – which these two can.

He wasn't in the Burnley team towards the end of the season and their fans don't particularly rate him. He can kick it in the goal, which is important, but he contributes nothing else whatsoever.

I'll be flabbergasted if Koeman really wants him.

I don't think we'd have to splash all the proceeds of Lukaku's sale on another striker. Even Lacazette is reportedly going to go for "only" 㿨m.

㿏m would buy us Dembele. Celtic would bite our hand off for that.

Mike, a bit like Lukaku then!

He would be to us what Danny Ings is to the RS.

Surprised by this one. I'd prefer Ings to Gray,Gavin. At least Ings has got a bit of flair in his first touch and passing.

I've watched Gray a number of times this season and thought he lacked ideas. He was isolated to be fair and can finish well but looks a big step down from Rom.

Also worried he may be a bit of trouble after his stupid social media comments.

Definitely an improvement on Kone and Valencia, probably going to get you more goals than Calvert-Lewin, not a direct replacement for Lukaku. Can't see the problem myself.

Teddy,

I don't remember if Ings was any good or not, it's been that long since I've seen him play. I remember thinking that the RS would be a bad move for him and it's definitely turned out that way. Bet he regrets not joining us now.

As for Gray, I don't think he's bad, he's decent actually. But he is the sort of player we would be looking at pre-Moshiri. We can sign better than this lad now. If it's true Burnley want Naisse, I'd be happy if we did a deal for Gray with Burnley getting a cash adjustment. Gray would be an improvement on Naisse, Kone and Valencia but he would only be a squad player for me.

He would be a decent squad player and, if cheap, would make sense as he is 'Premier League ready'.Obviously only as a squad player.

We need to focus our funds on top players, só any cheaper options to bulk our very thin squad are valid.

Personally, I feel we have missed out seeing Will Hughes, who has just joined Watford for £8 Million. He could have been a Barkley replacement, with ever increasing value and excellent potential. 21 and almost 200 games already... I think he'll take the Premier League by storm.

Fran

Yes, about Will Hughes, an absolute steal, and he's gone for relatively cheap money. For just £8m, I'm guessing he was, like Barkley, approaching the final year of his contract.

Teddy (#29), I thought his apologies for those disgusting tweets (which were made five years ago) seemed properly sincere and well-worded, beyond the usual agent-written pablum. A young man who earns a second chance deserves the benefit of the doubt, and he's been no trouble to anyone in recent years.

Nonetheless I'm with the majority here that he'd be a squad player, a luxury sub like Geri. Has bags of talent and pace but little nous from what I've seen. Was dropped by Dyche for good reason.

Jay (#12) – what are 'virtue-signalling snowflakes'?

I'm intrigued. Do you mean 'holier than thou' types?

Brian (#15), that's more likely Mr Murdoch's money.

You can say that again, Jay Woods (#12).

Andy (#35), "snowflake" is an insult Trump devotees use to describe liberals. I assume it means overly sensitive.

Interesting they chose that particular term. It was previously used to describe whites who supported slavery, and later by Aryan supremacists to describe people whom they considered insufficiently "white" in their views.

I seem to recall his homophobic tweets being brought to light by a rabid kopite after he'd netted the winner against them a day earlier? Not defending him but as Mike says I seem to remember his apology to have been quite sincere.

What I've seen of him I quite like, a small step forward as a squad player.

"Snowflakes" is not the preserve of Trump devotees at all, it's been used mainly online for many years. It is slightly more of a US term and does get used in describing those who may be broadly associated with liberals or an excessive "Liberal" standpoint.

It's more accurate meaning refers to the safe space/easily "Triggered" types, those vehemently supporting so-called "Left" policies, to the extent of wishing for governmental protection from anyone still able to think critically.

An example would be the multi-pierced pink and purple haired types posting videos of themselves crying uncontrollably like North Koreans when Hilary Clinton lost. So, yes overly sensitive is part of it.

I'm not going to expand on the full meaning of the virtue signalling aspect as I understand it, might be a can of worms on here. "Holier than thou" is close enough.

Back on topic: Gray is a bit of a come-down from Lukaku, for a big club.

Niasse and Macca to Burnley in a straight swap for Keane, Gray and Heaton would be a good deal for us.

Fairly happy with this; he scored 10 goals last season does the same again plus 10 from Sandro if that transfer happens and that's pretty much Billy Big Boots' total for literally pence in today's transfer market. I would prefer King but Gray is an improvement on both Niasse and Kone.

A step in the wrong direction in my opinion, gone have the days where we have to sign this caliber of player.

As some have pointed out, he's a squad player at best; if we want to push for the top four, I think better quality is required. He's another Troy Deeney, useful at average clubs.

No, not good enough, for EFC.

No, Nigel, nothing like Lukaku, I'm afraid. You'd be yearning for the days of Lukaku's work rate, never mind hold-up and link-up play, after a couple of games watching Gray.

Firstly, he wouldn't be a Lukaku replacement, more like an alternative Valencia. He might be useful in some away matches or as an impact sub. He certainly knows where the goal is but is awful in hold-up play, which is why Sam Vokes is usually preferred as lone striker when Burnley play one up front.

Personally I'd prefer the other Gray – Demarai who plays for Leicester.

For me, the player's personality is as important as is footballing ability. I wouldn't be happy if he came in, I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole.

Paul (#21) – do you not think the rest of the team might chip in a bit more if we get a striker who will fit better into a team ethic?

I am thinking back to Lineker who was replaced by Inchy (still a very good player but no longer potentially great after the Marwood tackle) with back up provided by Wayne Clarke. Sheedy, Steven, Sharp, Heath and (I think) Clarke all got into double figures as they all thrived on a better style of play whereas with Lineker it was a ball over the top all the time which he loved – a bit similar to Rom needing a ball where he can run at or turn defenders.

I realise we are short at present on players of the class of those I mention but Klaassen is a good start and there is plenty of time left to bring more in.

I don't know much about Gray but we need to beef up the squad with players who can come in and do a job whilst not a regular choice and, whilst I like Calvert-Lewin, he is learning his trade so someone like Gray might just fit the bill.

Beckford Mk II.

Beckford is a decent comparison actually.

Any player that can ''strengthen'' the squad is welcome at the right price and if this lad fits the bill, then why not?

However, we all thought various other players were going to do jut that and didn't such as Gibson, McGeady, Niasse, Kone and Deulofeu to name a few in recent times.

Yes, I know injuries can scupper the best laid plans so let's hope Gray (if he comes) is able to do some good things .

James (#48) – yes, Beckford. I was trying to remember his name. Gray is a similar sort of player. Not a useful addition to the squad, in my view, for a top 7 side. We can do better.

This one has about as much credibility as the Niang/Balotelli rumours.

Well, this 'snowflake' finds it difficult to get over the fact this lad called for "all gays to be burned".

I guess the same Blues who were calling Suarez all the names under the sun for his racist comments etc, are now prepared to forgive Gray though.

Double standards don't wash with me. The fact that he is actually shite is also worthy of note.

Snowflake?

"Generation Snowflake, or Snowflake Generation, is a neologistic term used to characterize the young adults of the 2010s as being more prone to taking offence and less resilient than previous generations, or as being too emotionally vulnerable to cope with views that challenge their own. The term is considered derogatory. It is one of multiple examples of usage of the word "snowflake" to refer to people."

Ah, I see. It's just that it's also a term used for people who were against the abolition of slavery ... didn't think it would be THAT.

Mark, since there is enough media available that you couldn't watch it all in the rest of your life, proving exactly the definition you posted, I'm not surprised it's considered derogatory.

A little unfairly perhaps. I see it as a generation deliberately manipulated out of all understanding of life and their very selves.

I think we should have a poll on which website has the worst rumours (bloggers not incl.).

I'll get the ball rolling – Calciomercato. Load of rubbish.

Col (#59). That bloody ToffeeWeb site.

TW only repeats legit rumours and gossip, Bri. HITC on the other hand is a bloody travesty.

It's an increasingly common term used by the decreasingly sane portion of society for the leftist, socially engineered, dementedly entitled youth of today who take offence at everything even remotely outside the go-along-to-get-along narrative they get from school, Twitbook and the entertainment industry, and it's in that context that I used it.

Looks like we have some of them on here who don't want us to sign Andre Gray because of his thought crime.

Jay, try going into work tomorrow and saying they should burn all the gays. Then see how that pans out? You will get sacked, and nicked btw..

Actually, Jay, the term 'snowflake' was originally coined as an insult to the people in the US who campaigned in favour of the abolition of slavery.

Not true, Andrew, it was aimed at those who were against the abolition of slavery.

I'd rather we sign Giroud, in his prime at 30, French international and a goals-to-games ratio of 1:2 for Arsenal. Good target man and also prolific against Everton!

Peter (#66), I also like Giroud – an excellent striker but he's not a Koeman player surely? Even less mobile than Rom and clearly struggles to last a full 90 minutes.

Ray – he's quite similar to Pelle at Southampton in style. The work rate came from the others – Mane, Long, Lallana, etc, so I wouldn't be surprised if Koeman went in for him. I am not sure he'd come, but he would be a good buy for someone.

I think we will play 4-3-3 next season, and would expect more strikers to occupy the positions over wingers. A target man would seem a must, post Lukaku.

Scraping the Burnley barrel with this poor character. They can't wait to move him on, I hear!

Socially engineered? Care to explain more, Jay?

I've just come back on to read about Andre Gray speculation and the thread's evolving into a right wing conspiracy about the lefts agenda to celebrate inclusiveness and difference by challenging verbal hate crime, lol. Let's not start on politics, chaps.

"...agenda to celebrate inclusiveness and difference by challenging verbal hate crime lol."

I think they've over celebrated somewhat, Gavin, 'cos a burgeoning number of young people can barely decide which type of willy they want to sport now. Damn things will be trading on Craigslist and eBay the way it's going.

The list of "Gender indentities" was up over 30 last time I looked. And of course, young school children just have to be taught about transgenderism. What, with us seeing them on every corner and all. Natural societal evolution, it ain't.

As I heard an Aussie say (in the traditional accent): Poor bastard can't decide if he's Arthur or Martha.

Man of the times, Will.

Thanks for the 'snowflake' thoughts, guys. Interesting.

Living in Melbourne, I get the "Arthur or Martha" bit.

So, this afternoon, I have learned that I'm not a 'snowflake' and what is depressing is that I appear to belong to the, "...decreasingly sane proportion of society..."

Must admit, I would settle for simply being able to express my opinion in a respectful manner. Calling for "all gays to be burned" is pathetic and plain stupid but we seem to live in a society where the baby constantly goes out with the bathwater. Some people default to a politically correct response which then dominates their thought to the point that they don't think at all. I suppose the media does that for us, does it?

Anyway, for what it is worth (and I don't know Andre Gray from a bar of soap). A player who Sean Dyche, one of the best man-managers in the game, seemed to despair of dealing with, would not be my first option.

While I'm not condoning the comments he made, it was 4 years ago when he made them and I actually thought his retrospective ban for four games by the FA was a little harsh given the length of time.

Some people seem very reluctant to forgive. I suspect 22 years
ago, when the Internet was in its infancy, many posters here on TW wouldn't have wanted a jailbird centre-forward with a reputation of being a bit violent and a poor goal return (for a striker), not to mention his constant injuries.

And before anyone asks, I absolutely idolised Ferguson in my youth for the talismanic role he played in those dark days of the mid-to-late 90s.

On Gray, he'd only be a squad player at best. If we bought him for any more than 㾶m (even in today's market) we'll have overpaid in my book.

Peter Roberts... "Some people seem reluctant to forgive." no, some people are reluctant to forget – and rightly so. I wouldn't have this piece of work anywhere near our club. This is Everton.

I grew up believing we have better and higher standards than other clubs. I don't care if a player is LGBT but I do care if any player is racist, homophobic or promotes the hate of another based on whatever skewed version of life he believes in.

Free speech isn't free, it came at a cost, it always will. But be careful of what you say when you open your mouth, it can be a defining question mark over the rest of your life. He said it, he lives with it and rightly so. But welcome him to our club?

If Messi came out with the same crap, I wouldn't have him here either. It's not tolerance or being a snowflake, it's decency.

Absolutely word-perfect correct summary, Christine. People can make mistakes, but when they make an effort to publicize such anti-social views, it tells us something about the guys character and values. He should not be considered at any price.

The club will be well aware of his history so i'd be surprised if they bought him. If they do, then there must be significant change in his character.

Personally most important is his football, then personality. If he has changed then that's fine by me. Corbyn held a minute of silence for the IRA and 13m voted for him!

Speaking for myself, I'm a "forgive and forget and move on" sort, so for Everton to be signing Gray, it boils down to is he good enough, well I haven't a clue. I haven't seen enough of him but, from what I have seen, he doesn't look as good as Valencia to me.

Valencia never got a real chance at Everton but wasn't deemed good enough to be kept on so they should be looking for someone they think is better. Is Andy Gray that man? I think there are better players out there.

Christine:

"...but I do care if any player is racist, homophobic or promotes the hate of another based on whatever skewed version of life he believes in."

See, the crux of what's been unceasingly pushed and inveigled into common conscience in recent years, is to turn the concept of being immature, stupid, uninformed, drunk or ignorant as a reason for unsavoury comments – explaining 90%+ of incidents, in my humble experience – into an implied and considered hostile action intentionally designed to actively promote hate, as if by some card carrying, logo-bedecked, registered Hate Club member.

The guy made a stupid mistake, and apologized. I doubt he has a skewed version of life marbled into his soul.

Will, he didn't make some 1970s un-PC comment – he suggested anybody that is homosexual be burned on a bonfire.

Jay – if Gray had called for all black people, or all Jews to be burned, would you be calling someone who critiqued that a snowflake?

It is interesting that the person who criticises hatred is the snowflake – seems to me like the cowards are those who promote it and defend it. It is also interesting how often those using the term are white straight men.

Gray apologised and it was a long time ago – but what kind of person would say something like that anyway? And be so stupid as to tweet it. We are a nice football club – we've got a lot of players I would love to go to drinks with. People like Coleman and Jags, and Naismith before them who genuinely try to help people and get involved in a lot of local activities etc. I think that means something, and I'd rather us not sign Gray. I don't want to cheer his goals. There are plenty of footballers that haven't acted like that.

It seems clear that Walsh wants a speedy striker though – someone who can run the flanks and get in behind. I wonder if it is worth going back in for Perez – we could probably snap him up for £10 mil and I think he offered something but wasn't given a chance at Arsenal (according to reputable sources they went for him because a 2 month campaign to get Reus failed).

My personal favourite would be Josh King but he'd be more of a Lukaku replacement than back up.

Will Mabon... Actually Gray also made racist comments (I hate lighties — that's white-skinned people to you and I); that was in 2014 which also came to light last year. Bit of a theme here?

You can be drunk, stupid and immature at any age, that does not condone his views, his comments, as 90% of the rest of the adult population his age don't Twitter those views. At what point does he change? If ever?

Christine Foster... I don't condone his views. I'm putting them into context. There could be many people with much worse views than he, that have been mindful not to post or ever utter them. That would concern me much more than an unthinking clown getting carried away online.

Jim Knightley:

"It is also interesting how often those using the term are white straight men."

Really? How is it interesting?

Andy McNabb @ 74:

"So, this afternoon, I have learned that I'm not a 'snowflake' and what is depressing is that I appear to belong to the, "...decreasingly sane proportion of society..."

Don't be depressed, Andy. Not many clubs become more exclusive the longer you remain.

Thanks Will, that makes me feel a little better!

Appreciate your comment about context. Social media has taken away much of that precious commodity and as a teacher, I see at first hand the lasting damage that comments, pictures etc can do to a young person's life.

There are advantages to be in your 50s and one of them is that social media wasn't around when I was younger. Good grief - if everything we have done or said was held against us for the rest of our lives, where would we be?

"At what point does he change? If ever?"

Do any of us commenting on here know the man personally? Trial by comments made years ago on social media is a disconcerting thing. It seems we did away with the death penalty some time ago and yet there are still those prepared to throw a rope over the nearest tree.

Dave Abrahams made a comment earlier about his footballing ability. Now there is an interesting thought!

So, as long as he can play football we will forgive his indiscretions as merely the foolishness of youth and turn a blind eye? After all it hasn't done any harm has it?

I mean, we all know that gays are an abomination and that transgendered people are mentally ill... Lord help us!

Andre Gray is in a privileged position, others younger than he look up to him and listen to his comments, others older than he should not turn a deaf ear and offer the hand of welcome because it suits their need.

I am sure that in the past our club has had its fair share of like-minded players but, because of there being no social media, their views never went viral. But the world we live in is today, for better or worse, it is the age were technology is used to spread the word immediately to millions and the spotlight is on those with such views as unwarranted or unwelcome.

Whilst to players technology can gain you adulation, it can also lay bare your comments and values for all to see. In this day, were values are sold on the alter of fame and money, if you are in the public eye, what you say has importance and influence. It also has repercussions and can taint you and those around you, your employer and prospects. I personally have no wish for the club to be associated with such views.

Andy McNabb, I lived in Australia a long time, your comments are quite in keeping with many I met there... to compare his comments as lightly as you do to misguided use of social media (hohoho, just as well we didn't have that then because we all must have thought the same thing?) or that there is a mob waiting to lynch anyone is laughable.

I am not taking it to the extremes you suggest, I am saying his comments portray someone with anti-social, homophobic and racial issues (not a one off tweet years ago) I for one would hope the club would not deem him to be welcome however good he can play. His reputation, good or bad precedes him.

Spare a thought too for those he has slighted, It would be an uncomfortable addition to our ranks of those reading who may well be in the LGBT community. To them, how does this play out? Does anyone care? My last word on the subject.

Christine,

I agree with you 100%. I'd be ashamed if Everton signed him.

I'm nearly fully on-board with Christine's view and I'm fully on-board with Dave Abrahams... which is the thing that clinches it for me.

Every player and person is different, just like their finger print. Today we look at 6 or 7 'points of comparison'. Not to long ago you needed about 12 'points of comparison'. There are more to players than the 6 or 7 'Moneyball Stats'.

Like Dave I haven't seen enough of him to say either way... he might be a proper hidden gem / ugly duckling just waiting to shine.

Like Christine, what I do know about him, from his own mouth... nah, do we, as a Club, really, really need him that much. Is he That good for That cheap.

I'm all for redemption and 2nd chances, but isn't there anybody else out there who doesn't need a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression, who isn't a foul-mouthed dickhead.

Steve Walsh stats or not, I'm not convinced he's that good... let somebody else buy an accident waiting to happen.

I can sort of understand Barcelona overlooking what an utter utter bellend Luis Suarez was in order to sign one of the best players in the world.

But the comments attributed to Gray are abhorrent (far worse than casual cannibalism in my opinion), and as a footballer, Luis Suarez he is not. So why would we even waste our time with this idiot?

It is great to have these ethical discussions on ToffeeWeb. I feel sympathetic to all aspects of the argument. I think if we sign him, my attitude would be to give the guy a chance.

Let him engage in the wonderful service aspects of Everton FC. Let him mix with the caliber of players we have and be influenced by them to become a more open and caring person.

We have all come from ignorance to some kind of knowledge. I would like to think our great club can change people for the better. I am still working on that challenge.

Well said, Albert.

Incidentally, Christine - not sure what part of Australia you lived in but I can assure you that if you visit Melbourne in 2017, whilst they still love their beer and BBQs, my experience has been that it is one of the least 'ocker' places on the planet.

Christine (#87), I completely understand your position. I would just point out two things that no-one has mentioned.

First, Gray did not come out of any "privileged position"... he grew up in a gang culture, which as you probably know is fervently homophobic. He was stabbed in the face in a gang fight when he was 18. He posted those abhorrent tweets when he was 19. This kid was a mess. Four years later, his apology for the tweets included the following:

"I have a lot of regrets regarding a number of things I've done in the past and realise I have made some big mistakes, none more so than these tweets, but I would like to stress that I've worked incredibly hard to completely transform my life since that time."

Second, there is every indication that he has done what he said. No later ugly comments than 2012 have surfaced. No news of further trouble or bad behavior. And a homophobe certainly wouldn't be welcomed in the pop-star circles he now travels in.

So does a once-troubled young man who appears to have straightened himself out get the opportunity to prove he deserves a second chance? Or do we dismiss him as an adult because of the bad stuff he did as a teenager? In my opinion, people do mature and change, and he should have the chance to show he has done so.

That said, I don't think Everton should sign him... but for footy reasons, not the personal issue.

Lukaku goes for £75ish mil the only chap to replace him is dembele and he would cost around £40-50 mil, Sandro for £5 mil, Gray £10 mil. One out, three in. Job done.

Also flick on Barkley, Niasse, McCarthy and McGeady, get in Keane and Sigurdsson plus a right back and a two wingers. Champions League, here we come!!!