Everton consider loan of former triallist Zirkzee

Zirkzee on loan would be great. About 4 years late (he came within an inch of signing under Koeman) but better late than never. Might even persuade him to stay if more opportunities than at Bayern – although Bayern are light on strikers after Lewandowski.

Joshua Zirkzee looks a lot more than back-up to Calvert-Lewin if it comes off. If not, he's still an upgrade on Tosun surely.

It does seem weird that yesterday Brands says no incomings, then today the Zirkzee deal is all over the Internet. Maybe he meant no permanent deals, since this is a loan. Does seem strange though for him to say the one day, and the next day we're getting someone in.

Is Zirkzee any good? He looks about the same build as Simms.

So we might basically be swapping Kean for Zirkee? I know nothing about him, if he comes great. I guess.

Looking at our own -23s l'm not expecting any of the them to break through. We bought Stones, Holgate, DCL, Branthwaite, Gibson, Lookman (then sold him too soon). I don't have high hopes for Gordon, he's waisting away. Chances for our own young players will remain slim.

I think the question with Zirkzee is how good could he be.

No problems if Carlo is managing expectations by underplaying speculation. It gives him more chance to get on with the job of working with what we have and finding improvements when they are available.

The team proved at Wolves that although we are short of out and out strikers, we can cope with the shortage if the other players we have step up and put in a shift.
After all, Manchester Citeh have been doing the same thing for a while now,

I am never in favour of those who blithely say we should be buying 3 'champions league' layers every window. We can only shop within our budgets and for whoever is available and willing to come along. But the more eye-catching our performances the more star names will see us as a valid option for their ambitions. I hope we have moved on from the days of pumping money into the pension pots of the likes of Samuel Eto.

If we can make a good signing or two in the next fortnight I will be delighted. If not, we still have a better squad now than we have had for years. And it gets better the more we keep winning.

Joshua Zirkzee on loan from Bayern Munich, now that would be a great signing. You think Keane is good, this lad is mustard.

Have you seen much of him Bobby?

We actually had Zirkzee playing for us in a trial for our youth team in a continental tournament when he was 16. He was a free agent having just left Ajax ; I think; and was having trials at a number of European clubs. We wanted him but he chose Bayern. No point in a loan developing another clubs youngster unless we have a purchase option at the end of the loan.

I thought we would be after a loan player who could deputise for DCL or give him a breather when required. A seasoned striker on a 6 month loan. It would be good to have a look at this kid for 6 months though and see what he could do from the bench for us. We will regularly need some impact from our forward subs.

I have seen him score and play for Bayern looks a handful but he has Lewandowski in front so needs to play for us. He’s a big lad reminds me of Lukaku, but more athletic.

The lad is only 19. Looks like a big unit (Wiki says 6'-4"). Could be a good option – but only with an option to buy in the summer.

He’s a great prospect. Clever finisher and as another poster said, athletic. 6 month loan without a buy option would make little sense as it’ll take him time to adapt but if there’s an option i’d take the loan any day of the week.

Weird that Brands said no incomings then this appears. I hope he’s just keeping his cars close to his chest.

A lot is being made of the statements coming from both Carlo and Marcel Brands, that they don't expect any major signings in the Transfer Window, BUT they didn't say NO either! Besides what better way to keep prices down for any potential targets, than to tell the journos what they don't intend to do.

It's the way I like it just like the good old days, you never knew they were signing anyone until they were paraded with the shirt etc. I know we didn't have the Media we have today, but neither did we have snide journos and greedy agents just hovering to make a fast buck.

I don't expect a lot to come in, and a great deal depends on who we can get rid of too, but a striker is surely a must, to share or take some pressure of DCL as the lone wolf. A creative midfielder would be the icing on the cake for this window plus Zirkzee. The defence can hold out until the summer as we are not short of options there either.

Alex @ 14. That sounds like a very large chest! Just saying!

The next Lukaku or the next Moise Keane? Who knows!

Looks to be in a similar mould to DCL as Godfrey is in a similar mould to Holgate, hope it happens

As long as he is not the next Sandro Tony, will do for me.

Tony, to be fair a young Lukaku was not rated by Chelsea the same way Everton dismissed Moise Kean even though he is still 20 years old. Its pathetic.

I think it's his agent putting him out there. I would be surprised if he came to us.

Tosun out permanently and Zirkzee in on loan with an option to buy would be perfect for me.

Apparently he's going to Parma.

It makes no sense to come as back up to Calvert-Lewin when you're already back up to Lewandowski. Not surprising he's going elsewhere.

Even the Brighton caceido deal supposed to have been clinched three days ago nothing happened so far. Lots of who blink first with these agents trying to smoke us out. Not ideal but looks like the final week may be when we see movement hopefully us as well. We can’t go on the ale to celebrate 80 million off the wage bill with fees. We want Brands to step up and give us a great second half of the season.

Paul @ 23, they'll just turn him into a ham! :-)

It's not down to Brands if we buy or not, it Moshiri's money! Brands and Carlo have to sell the player to him and see if he'll back them.

This kid is leaving not because he is behind Lewandowski, but Bayern want rid because he's just smashed an opposing keeper in the face while he was on the floor and split his face open, leaving it pouring with blood. At Bayern, they don't tolerate that type of thing... He's fiery! Get him in.

Carl #27, I'm not sure you'd call that particular play "fiery"... more like "massively stupid"... but look for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsjmKdvMQIE at 24:15.

Nonetheless, I'd like very much to have this player... his potential is tremendous.

@Carl & @Mike – The challenge didn't seem to have any malice to me – kinda like Pickford on His Sainted Lordliness Virgin Van Dick – ill-advised, over-committed, but without malice... (my tuppence worthy).

Mike G, yes it did look bad, when you see it in slow motion, there doesn't seem anything but a genuine attempt to get the ball, that's his job after all, no striker is going to say "Fair cop to the goalie, it's your ball when it's 50/50". You could draw reverse comparison to the Pickford / VVD – he was only trying to clear the ball, not start World War 3.

Mind you, he probably would have got less flak, and certainly less repercussions, if he had. It's almost unbelievable that it is still getting dragged up weeks after it happened.

Thanks for the link, by the way, hope all is okay with you. Unfortunately no game and no Live Forum this weekend through no fault of our own again.

Zirkzee on loan would be an excellent move, esp if we offload Tosun in this window as well.

That said, Bayern would probably want to loan him out to a team who's going to give him plenty of game time, not as cover on the bench.

Not sure what Parma's situation is respect to their forward line, but if they are going to play him regularly, then Bayern would likely favour sending him there instead.

Thanks for the clip Mike. Proper old fashioned challenge! He looks to have a fair bit of skill and mobility for a statuesque figure. Would certainly have to visit one of the fancy hairdressers to fit in with PL stereotypes.

This may not be as good as it looks.
The Bayern coach, Hans-Dieter Flick has had it with Joshua Zirkzee.
Not for his playing qualities, but for his off-field antics.
Apparantly the player has lost himself on Instagram, much to the annoyance of Flick.

That's why he had to prove himself in the Under 23's, playing a derby against 1860 München.
I was unaware of the horror tackle, and it looks just that: horrible.
It looked like he was going to Eintracht Frankfurt, but they were less interested after his sending off.

Zirkzee is open to a definitive move away from Munich.
Can we then get him to his best? With good young players like DCL and Ben Godfrey showing a good example.

Genuine attempt for the ball I thought.
Mistimed but no malice

Nobody could prove intent from that clip... although for rolling about like a big baby, 1860's goalie should be banned for a while for bringing the game into disrepute.

I just watched a YooToob video of him, and all his goals were tap-ins.

He's a big lad though

Run of the mill attempt that unfortunately caught the goalie in the kipper, nothing to see here

Always makes me giggle that Bayern’s manager is Herr Flick!

I would love to see this happening - the lad is strong, good technique, eye for goal and has a much better attitude that Kean. Huge step up on Tosun - and in a position that we badly need support. Regards from Munich.

Mark. Listen very carefully I will say this only once, good moaning, Everton for the title.

That challenge by Zirkzee appeared to be a complete accident. The ball was there for him to go for, and although he went over the top of the ball, I don't think there was any intent. Red card was the correct decision though, as dangerous play constitutes a red card.

When I played in goal there was always that fear factor of being caught in the face when I came sliding out to take a through ball, and I picked up a few injuries through this action.Fair play to the keeper for carrying on as well, after all, he only had a couple of minor scratches!! The amount of blood made it look a lot worse.

P.S.......... can we get him signed in time for The Analfield derby!!

Herr Flick!! Wonderful. I've now watched the clip, I don't think he went for the player, nasty incident, that's all. I hope this happens but only if we move brillo head on.

Careful Mark @ 38, Herr Flick has vays and means of making you regret you are laughing at his namen! :-)

Derek I have two images of hair flick rolled into one, with you mentioning his name, hello hello, and the guy on the old Kit Kat advert having his photo taken, in the photo booth..

Please do not mention a panda, or roller skates will be my next crazy merged image, I must lay off the cheese before bedtime.

Apologies to the younger generation who will be thinking wtf is he talking about.

Seems like an ideal loan this one. It may even prove to take some pressure from Calvert-Lewin if he plays 2 up front?

The option will be there.

Talk Sport are now linking us to the Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies...

Robert, I believe she's alright up front! :-)

Ohhhhh, Derek....

Any first-team-ready attacking players are welcome.

We need better to keep in the hunt for European places.

Hopefully that means hard working, pacey, skillful and creative player to bring goals and assists.

We do need some back-up in attack but we don't need another sick note player.

I was hoping we may see Gbamin get some game time soon but I suppose this lad may be a no-show for the season knowing Everton's luck.

We need to keep the midfield strong and getting Allan back and fully fit may help along with Gbamin; otherwise, the inconsistency with what we have may continue to be a problem

I know Brands said he is looking to offload instead of incomings until the summer.

However a couple of additional players could make all the difference to a good push to maintain a top 6 finish.

We might not have a better chance next season, makes sense to at least get a couple in, even loans.

Now saying we are in talks with Bayern for a loan and option to buy in the summer for €10 Million.

I was reading an article before, sorry I can't remember which, or where, so no link, but basically it was saying that he does want to come to Everton. Having been here before, he knows what the set-up is, but the article also said that they can't agree terms between Everton and Bayern and the player himself.

Like I have said before, these things in a Transfer Window (even though they have said no incomings) always go to the eleventh hour on the final day.

That's what I cannot understand, Derek: we are reluctant to pay €10 Million to keep the player after the loan period, a 19-year-old that can turn out to be an absolute bargain, and let us not forget, Calvert-Lewin took a few years to turn that rawness into the player he is now.

If we are going to get anything close to £7 Million for Bernard, and his wages off the list, then it must be worth a punt, especially with it looking likely that both Tosun and Moise Kean will be moving on.

A low-risk investment, that could go either way, and let's be honest, we are a bit light on back-up for Calvert-Lewin. When you look how much we plunged on Sigurdsson, Bolasie, Iwobi, Tosun... €10 Million is a little risk that might just pay off.

I read something about it being a loan with a compulsory purchase clause after it for €10M. So that would not really be a loan, it's a deferred purchase. Bayern are probably concerned or expect he comes here, doesn't adapt, and he loses half his value.

It's a tough league for the young lad to prove himself in. It would be better for us if he came initially on loan and we get a good look at him, and for him to be happy here.

We don't want another bargain like Sandro that is a ball and chain financially for 5 years. I think we need to just have a 6-month loan with an option to buy.

I think the deferred payment is fair; obviously its a risk but we need to remember when he came here on trial we offered him a contract but he chose Bayern. Also, any money we receive for Bernard or Kenny will come close to covering it.

We have been caught out on Sandro but, let's be honest, it was a punt worth taking. We need a striker, I prefer this one than King from Bournemouth – especially with King's wage demands of £120k per week as a squad player.

What if it goes the other way, Tony, and he adapts, we would be kicking ourselves if we did not agree a purchase beforehand.

If it goes one way, we could end up paying out €10 Million and take a loss; the other way and we could end up paying double, or losing him to another team.

With the likes of Kenny, Tosun and Bernard possibly moving on, I am all for taking a punt on the guy, as long as we do not offer big wages, promise him a modest contract, with a view of upping it, based on performances.

Brian, Tony1, Tony2 and Ian, all transfers are gambles to a degree, as we are all well aware, but I think in this age of crazy money, the amount being talked of here is (massive to us, on a personal level) not a great amount, when you consider what has been blown in the past.

So I would think, because of the player's age, and his alleged prodigious, but still raw talent, it is well worth the risk. Like it's been mentioned before hopefully there will be a few exits from high earners(?) and a reduction on the wage bill.

What could possibly go wrong?

Oh wait a minute! This is Everton. :-)

I like the new, tough negotiating Everton, whereas previously we would have been grateful to receive any cast-offs from the likes of Man Utd, Barca, Chelsea, Man City, etc and get screwed over by them in the bargain. Brands is a shrewd negotiator as we saw in his purchases of James and Allan in the summer.

I was all for this, until that name Sandro popped up, can we please never,mention that name again, it is up there with Glen Keeley, two names that still send shudders down my spine.

Ajay, true that Marcel Brands has proved to be a shrewd and fairly savvy negotiator, although there were question marks over Iwobi, Mina and Delph. The first two have shown that they are decent players but not necessarily consistent enough. Whereas Delph is not a 'bad player' but seemingly always injured, whether that could have been envisaged when negotiations were started is another quandary.

Derek, Ajay,......Brands didn't get screwed over by City? Barca over Gomes? (two decent sub cameos... shite the rest of the time).

Delph has always been a sicknote, was never going to change at what, 29, when we signed him? Waste of £8 million plus wages over 4-year contract, typical of Brands’s hit-and-miss tenure.

People whinge about Ancelloti's wages, but he's a bargain compared to this waster.

Jeff, Brands got us arguably the best left back in the league, he got us Branthwaite for buttons, he got the midfielder Ancelotti had identified for the price we were willing (not getting pressured to over pay), he negotiated with Real and got James for free. He got Godfrey and has proven himself to have great potential. Iwobi, who has been the bat to hit Brands with, has also proven to be a good player.

Delph was cheap, seen to be a good, experienced midfielder. His injuries have proven to make him mistake.

Gomes, Brands got for what we wanted to spend. He was a successful loanee, and Barca tried to up the antee. But Brands didn't budge on the fee. His injury has severly set him back, but hardly a reason to sack Brands.

Digne
Doucouré
Richarlison
Allan

All Brands signings.

Some players who have not turned out same as above, but overall a good record.

There isn't a man, anywhere in football, in a similar job to Brands that gets every signing right.

If he is getting head hunted by Man Utd, he is doing something right.

In my opinion, Brands has been a resounding success!!! The amount of shite he has had to move on.

Let's get real – he hasn't been shafted on any of our signings, he can't control the injuries the players get. Gomes was quality until the injury by Son. If Brands leaves, I have no doubt he will have the pick of Europe's elite as his next employers.

Ian, Gomes was 1 in 5 before his injury, don't try to change facts to suit your take on Gomes, he was pretty poor consistently before the gobshite Son did him, Brands's punt on this one was a miss for me.

Jeff, Gomes was poor before he got injured... but, to be fair, everyone was poor. Silva had the team playing woefully, so much so we were in a relegation battle before he left.

But Gomes the previous season was decent, and about 90% on here wanted him signed.

For me, at the moment, he'd still be the first midfielder to go out of Sigurdsson, Davies and him for us to accomodate someone new. He's not at the level we need. But I still wouldn't call him a failure of Brands, or suggest somehoe Barcelona got one over on us in the sale.

Brands has been a solid 7/10 in terms of recruitment. We haven't overspent since he came and, if we sold all his signings, I reckon we''d make a decent profit. That's a huge leap from the previous regime from which we are struggling to give away some big money signings.

Thomas, I disagree with you on a good number of topics but that is well said. And while I'm in unusual territory I'll reiterate my belief that Gomes will come good. I figure I'll be getting some for a while but he will make it happen.

Dale,

It infuriates me that there is an excellent player in Gomes trying to get out. Before the injury, he gave us a great performance every four or five games. Why? To me he looks like a lazy thoroughbred racehorse that the best trainers just don't know how to train. Post injury, he has recovered and we have been seeing the same pattern.

Just lately though there is some improvement albeit from the bench. He has looked a bit sharper and a bit fitter all round. If he could build on that and get properly fit, he would be like a new signing. So, me too, I haven't totally given up on him achieving it. The left-footed cross that Keane scored from against Wolves was sublime.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on in the next couple of games.

Jeff@66 I have no desire to change any facts etc, I have never seen Gomes as a regular goal scorer from midfield, I see him more as a transition player linking defence to attack from a deep lying role more akin to a American quarterback, or a more educated game manager. We all have opinions and I respect we all see games very differently but to say he wasn't quality against what we previously had I will just beg to differ

Good to catch you in real time Tony. I couldn't speculate on the conditioning but the varying performances I would put down to lineup changes and just never settling in positionally. It would appear that Carlo sees a player in there as well and I suspect we'll see him in a limited but effective role coming in around 70' until he breaks through.

It now looks as though Juventus are making overtures to this guy – so, if we are interested, can we compete?

If the pound holds against the euro then English football will have no problem maintaining it's position at the top of the tree. By being a stable, respected long term Premier League team backed by a billionaire, with Brands and Ancelotti in senior roles – there's actually very few teams we can't compete with.

Fat Frank getting sacked and Tuchel installed made me stop and take stock. When I started going the match, Alan Smith was getting picked regularly for England, Bobby Gould and Graham Taylor were considered bright young football minds and Ossie Ardiles was probably the most exotic player going around.

For better or for worse, the perception of English football has changed completely. Tuchel will join our own legendary boss, but also Klopp, Guardiola, Mourinho and Bielsa in the same league. The Premier League is the place to be.