Everton linked with Watford's Doucoure

Can't see it, tbh. But I do expect a midfielder to come in, it is such an important position in Silva's system, that it is necessary to have competition for places, and I expect both McCarthy and Schneiderlin to be moved on.

Many say we need a striker, and I was wondering if we should make a £60/70 million bid for Rashford? The lad is a talent, is clearly unsettled, and what a message it would send.

Anyway, winter is coming, so the press rumour mill will start reaching full throttle soon.

Doucoure has a bit of class about him but Gomes is more of a complete player, better suited to the rigours of the Premier League.

Forget Doucoure and get Gomes signed permanently.

Fran (1)

Spot on, I too would love Rashford, I really think he could become a great with us and he would thrive off quality ball. He’s not far off things clicking so I’d love a big January bid for him.

I don’t think we’ll do much in January. Our next step is to qualify for Europe and be able to put out two winning teams a week, combining European progression with consistency in the league. This means singing players next summer when we know if we’re in Europe or not. We still have a huge number of players on our books after all.

Our transfer activity will really be an indication of our ambition.
If there are to be any expensive signings then I really do think that Usmanov is on board...
We shall see

I think that in January one or two players may move out and Everton securing a deal/s for players to come in the summer by signing pre contract agreements

We need a striker far more than we need a midfielder at present.

Outside of Richarlison (and he isn’t really a genuine centre forward yet) what are the options?

I still get concerned thinking that without Richarlison’s and Siggy’s goals we would start looking a bit blunt again.

Strikers...I like that lad Wilson from Bournemouth. A player at a "smaller" club who might move to us and would improve us, and has Premier League experience. Fast, hard worker, decent finisher. More skill fun than his strike partner King.

Hard not to feel confident of any future dealings with Mr Brands at the helm and whoever he has his sights on.

Rashford is clearly a top talent but we don't have a chance of getting him this season. Man Utd may be struggling but they have several genuine world class players and a greater chance of winning something. He's also still wanted by Man Utd so I can't see them selling.

We are moving in the right direction but it's still very early days before we can think of getting ManUtd, Man City and Chelsea's best players.

I'd love to get Ramsey from Arsenal but I think the Premier League clubs above us would be in for him but if he's not wanted by Arsenal then we may be in with a more realistic chance than trying to get a player still wanted by his club.

Not for me... we need a striker or two and a proper left winger — left-footed, with pace and an eye for goal too.

Adam Reach of Sheffield Wednesday would be ideal.

Unless it's back-up to Gueye, and we're offloading Davies and Schneiderlin, I can't see the point in this. And in any case, I'd sooner keep Tom and see if he can kick on. Doucoure is okay but is not likely to improve, whereas it's possible Tom can.

Much better to sign Gomes or find his like for like in the market – not easy – because he has clearly radically enhanced our midfield.

And it would be nice to hear rumours of strikers we are chasing because we have a lot of midfielders in the squad right now, some of them probably worth moving on.

It's just paper talk. More bullshit to come but I agree we need a striker. will we get one in January??? I don't think so as Silva seems happy trying to convert a winger into striker...

Good shout for Callum Wilson though... but I can't see Bournemouth letting him go.

@Matthew #11

A bit late to the party on this thread... but just checked out Adam Reach on YouTube and Wikipedia. He's 25 and last year he scored 4 goals in 53 appearances for a Championship side. Not convinced that meets your criteria of an eye for goal.

In any case, Richarlison should be our long-term left winger, especially if as you say we sign another striker. I wouldn't get hung up that he's not left footed... he's got pace and an eye for goal.

I would have liked to have seen Rashford as part of the Lukaku deal. Think he would have been perfect. Don't think we will get a sniff now though.

Tony #2, Doucoure would be a deputy and possible replacement for Gana rather than Gomes.

Incidentally, this writer thinks Gana is the most underrated player in the EPL: https://dailytimes.com.pk/334649/idrissa-gueye-the-most-underrated-player-in-epl/