Everton show interest in Betis midfielder

Hmm... Never heard of him. Perhaps, our more knowledgeable people can help out.

File alongside Riquelme.

At 28, maybe the wrong age for us? I would prefer someone a bit younger so we have resale value and youthful energy. This buying players like Doucouré and Allan who offer no return and declining ability as the seasons go by... I don't see milage in this based on our financial position

Ciaran, the greater spotted Riquelme?

Argentinian? Midfielder? It must be Riquelme. Surely this time it’s going to happen.

Lessor spotted Brent...

Might be worth a risk if we can offload some deadwood on Real Betis. Goodbye, Mr Allan.

Well, he is not going to help us in the goalscoring – he is strictly a defensive midfielder.

Here today, gone tomorrow, Ciaran.

It's a position we need the best possible player we can get. I'd like to hear more from our TW scouts about him. From the scouting reports I've read, he sounds like a tough and efficient quality DCM. Reportedly shortlisted by Liverpool and Arsenal last summer.

Then we get to the age arguments again. He's 28, will come on a 4-year contract with no resale value. We should be looking for an under 25-year-old with massive potential who can come good for us and Frank can improve. It's, if recruiting right, a far better business model.

In this decisive position a good argument could be made for a tough senior player with experience and a calm quality head to run the show.

Transfermkt has him at €22M so Real Betis will want more than that probably. It's a big fee for us at the moment. If he can stabilise the team and help us control matches better, this one player will give us a structure that we have been missing long term. He could be a catalyst for us and help us more smoothly get back to calmer waters financially so we can gradually build a much stronger team over the next few seasons.

If he gives us all that, the fee will have been worth it. I don't know if this player is the silver bullet, but we do need a DCM who can add the necessary steel and quality to our central midfield.

Interesting link. He was very good last season. Arguably one of the best CDMs in La Liga, if not the best. He was also excellent for América in Liga MX a few years back.

If only he was a bit younger! Or cheaper!

He was a crucial player for Betis last season and that's why they'd be highly unlikely, I'd imagine, to sell him for less than £30M and I'm not sure we can be spending that on a 28-year-old.

Shame, as he's very much what we need. A midfield enforcer who can read the game well and distribute well enough. Exactly the right profile but would seem a very high-risk option given his age.

If we're gonna spend that on a CDM, then probably you buy Sangare or Onana. But maybe experience is worth the expenditure? Though I thought the same of Allan who's not quite hit his Napoli heights.

I like this one. We need quality and urgently. Therefore I don't see his age being a problem.

A part-exchange deal involving Gomes might work well for all parties. For example, Gomes + £15 million. I can dream, can't I?!

I can't help thinking we're deliberately being fed links by the club to deflect away from the fact that there is a great big zero actually going on.

10 days to the start of the season and we are really in trouble.

Ajay @13, I had a similar thought. If we could send Gomes the other way that would be ideal.

Simon @12, I think not considering players' ages is part of what got us into this terrible position sadly. We all want good players to come in but there has to be one eye kept on financial sustainability and spending £30M+ on a 28-year-old is problematic in that sense, especially when there are very decent CDMs out there for the same price who are 5 years younger.

This is one position that requires loads of discipline, and this is something that usually comes with both age and experience. You’ve still got to be able to run though, and a lot faster than our current midfielders.

I've seen the guy play twice this year, against Barca near the end of the season and earlier in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia. He is big, tough, fast, physical and smart, an excellent ball-winner, and when he fouls -- which is often -- it's up the pitch, not around the box where free kicks are so dangerous.

And he's ridiculously durable -- per Transfermarkt he has played nearly 300 games and missed exactly 4 due to injury. He also manages to avoid red cards and suspensions despite picking up regular yellows.

He's 28 and expensive, so I don't know if he's a realistic option, but he sure would solve a lot of our midfield problems.

Like ourselves, Real Betis are in financial 'rules' trouble having paid too much out in the last few seasons since being promoted.

He is a key player for them so I'm not convinced he'll come cheaply but he's very much a player in the Allan mould.

A good, combative midfielder but I'm not convinced he's got the pace, energy and stamina for the Premier League.

I'm less concerned about age, as long as they can prove themselves over the next few seasons whilst we rebuild.

If we're considering 28-year-old DMCs, then what about Wilmar Barrios?

Excellent ball-winning midfielder who's a decent passer and dribbler too. Would be half the price of Rodriguez but similar calibre.

28... past it?

"If only he was younger, we need younger players, no resale value."

We are in no position to try out younger cheap option players that might come good and then want a move for £30 million in a few years. We need someone who can come in and do a job now or we are in danger of going down, and staying down.

A proven 30-year-old striker as well please. I don't care so long as he scores goals.

That's the trouble with Everton – always trying to find quick success without any plan for the future. I would much rather a cap being put on any purchase of players to be under 24 years old.

We sign players aged 27 years and up, in 2 years, we are going to be stuck with the same problem we had for the last 2 years.

No other clubs seem to want to pay them more than we do in wages, so we will be stuck with players to the end of their contracts. Which I suppose is okay if they are playing consistently good football but a burden if they are not.

Unless we stop this process of continually buying aged players, we will never be able to rebuild properly.

We should be buying these sorts of players at source in South America – like Vera, Varela, Danilo and Menino.

You can build a team around them over an extended period of time. And if they work out, you can sell them and reinvest the proceeds.

With Rodriguez, he's a good player – but there are hundreds of good players out there.

The interesting thing to me is that clubs like West Ham, Leicester, Wolves, Brighton and Palace (and many other successful clubs around Europe) have been assembling very good squads – and none of them would buy Rodriguez for £30M. Maybe on a free.

Unfortunately, this is the sort of signing that Everton have become known for – and it has resulted in us being skint with a seriously deteriorating side.

Never heard of him, although it looks like he is a very good player.

Because of the price being quoted for him, I don't think this transfer will come off; we just can't afford him.

I really worry and have done for a couple of seasons about where our goals are going to come from in the new season.

I just looked at the stats of our forward players and, to be honest, I wish I hadn't as it just shows how little goal return we have. Having sold our best games-per-goal ratio player in Richarlison who scored 43 goals from 135 appearances – and let's remember he played many games wide left or wide right. The stats for our remaining forwards are:

Gray – 34 appearances, 5 goals

Gordon – 49 appearances, 4 goals

Iwobi – 83 appearances, 4 goals

Calvert-Lewin – 164 appearances, 45 goals

Anybody who thinks we will survive with such a paltry goal return from our current strike force has more faith than I do!

Just another example out of a very long list, as to why people are very concerned Brian.

I agree, Brian. We are completely screwed if DCL gets injured. Striker cover (which could be another versatile forward like Richarlison) is essential (along with a specialist holding midfielder and a right wing forward / playmaker).

We also have the unknown that is Dele Alli of course. Given a full season you would reasonably expect 5(+) goals from him too.

It all points to a very compact, deep side playing on the counter and conceding very few goals. We're not good enough to play any other way

Deeply concerning with less than two weeks to the big kick off.

Well Christopher, it's taking me back to the Moyes years.

Only was it Moyes?

Maybe there is another consistent who is re-shaping things to the way it was. The good times.

Only unlike Moyes, I can't see Lampard being compliant.

This is the one position where I don’t think we should have any issue in getting an experienced player. It’s such an important cog in the team and one we’ve been missing since Barry got too old. Someone with a cool head and can control a game. I’m all for getting potential in other areas but holding midfield is such a priority for this Everton side and I wouldn’t mind spending big on a 28 year old if he’s the right fit.

This guy and any 2 from Cornet/Gibbs-White/Broja and I think we’ll be ok and give ourselves a good shout of avoiding trouble. Still room for a loan or 2 to beef up the squad then.

Apparently we are talking to the agent of dennis. All a throw of the dice but if him or cornet I reckon the watford lad has a bit more about him. I’m sure we are all over this problem like a cheap suit.

Philip @ 21
It may have been the case in the early to middle Moshiri years that we were trying to buy players to provide quick success, but right now, we are going to have to buy what we can afford and it matters that the purchases have some experience too, we've taken loads of chances on 'future' stars and few if any have been a success.

I don't know whether its a case that the Chickens have well and truly come home to roost, but no business can make so many mistakes as Everton FC have done and expect to be first in the queue for top talent, or even mediocre young talent, never mind finding the next Messi or Ronaldo.

Players that Everton buy or even loan now are not for future success they're to shore up a team that is severely lacking in crucial areas.

Brian 24 - whilst the first 3 are representative, I’d prefer to concentrate on the 34 DCL has scored in 86 appearances over the last 3 seasons rather than the amount he scored while often playing on the wing - and that includes the 10-12 games from last season which were, in the main, half games trying to recover from his injury.

Indeed, if you take it from when Ferguson took charge and discounted the period last season recovering from injury, then it’s closer to 1 in 2.

I do worry about the rest of the team though, the likes of Gordon and Gray need to contribute more and hopefully Ali can get into double figures.

Kevin DCL will never be a 1 in 2 striker, All the top clubs know that and that is why he is still with us. Might tempt moneybags Newcastle to part with £30 million but I doubt it.
We need goals and fast I think Deli could be good for 10 + if he steps up his game. and another striker good for 15+ should be enough to keep us up. Like it was mentioned before a old head Barry type to slot in the midfield is a must also. We have a few good youngsters that could be given some game time and maybe become first team material in the next 12 months.

Kevin I agree with you. DCL is by no means a world class striker. But he is a very good striker and one of 4 players along with Gordon, Mykolenko and Pickford who we should be building around.

His goalscoring and general performances since Dunc took charge have been very good. There's a lot of childishness about the modelling etc. It's not my cup of tea either but it doesn't make him a bad player etc.

I’d go along with that Brian, Dennis over Cornett, but I’d prefer the opinions of a few more, because I definitely watch less and less football each year. (Doesn’t stop me talking shite on ToffeeWeb… I know)

We need players in midfield who can go the pace. That is to say work up and down the field for ninety minutes which many 28 year -olds have difficulty doing. Okay there are exceptions like the great Alan Ball but I would prefer someone younger in the mold of
Mason Mount.
We have Tom Davies who lacks the pace but tries hard but Antony Gordon has the potential if he can be tougher.

Danny, how a DOF and manager are supposed to function given our current financial predicament just beggars belief.

Thank God I was around to see the team of the 1980's, it must be really tough for the younger generation who have seen no success in the past 27 years. You have to give them credit for taking to the streets at the weekend. I just hope that last weekend is the start of a campaign to move things forward. There can be no turning back!

Although my wife would disagree, Tony, I watch football no little or no more football than I've ever done.

I am not a footballing encyclopaedia like some, I just tend to go off what I see on the pitch or the screen and my instinct.

I'm no better or worse judge than anyone.

Less than 2 weeks to go!!

I get the feeling the 12 or 15 points at stake in August will determine our fate this season.

If the timing of transfers is out of our hands and we really have to see what's left late on, then Wow! That is flying by the seat of our keks.

With the five subs, it looks like even Forest (12 new men) will use the tactic to steamroll and overpower us if our back-ups are Rondon and Gomes in the last 20 minutes of games.

Then the added headache of the better teams and what they bring off the bench. No wonder that grinning twat over the park pushed for it.

Townsend was right – the Premier League are terrified of saying no to them. As Danny says, Roll on 6 August!

The lesser teams scare me, Brian, the better teams absolutely terrify me.

"Everton Aren't We?" lost its true fucking meaning years ago.

This is the one position where we don't want someone running about all over the place in my opinion. Sit in front of the defence, make tackles, cover gaps, play simple balls to those more likely to create (if we have anyone).

Alongside this type of player, I would like to see a box-to-box midfielder and a roaming playmaker… I can only dream.

Sean beat me to it. A DM that sits and harries the opposition – not some headless chicken running about all over the place. He needs the pace in his head more than his aincent 28-year-old body. Made me LOL, that one, Tom B.

Lesser teams, better teams, Tony. Above all teams, Everton terrify me more than any!!

We'll be fine. I saw the Wembley Arch as I drove back from Sainsbury's today. It's a sign.

All these players we keep getting linked with is enough to make my head spin.

Wake me up when we sign a player with the defensive ability of Claude Makelele & the passing range of Andrea Pirlo.

Of all the players, I'd like Maxwel Cornet, but he's not coming to us. Burnley (rightly so) want the full fee upfront.

Looks like Vinagre is at Finch Farm now and getting shown round by the players. Gbamin and Mina giving him a tour of the treatment area. Just a coincidence, I'm sure.

Looks like who blinks first over Broja until the end – either loan with option to buy or just a loan. Is Frank serious about Rondon as the back-up all season? It sealed Benitez's fate; be careful, Frank.

The big names keep rolling in...

Brian M @ 30, "Apparently we are talking to the agent of Dennis."

What about Gnasher?

Surely they can't break that partnership up, it's been successful for years!

Derek. That’s all fine n dandy. ( or was that the wrong comic i’m getting desperate

Wizzer n chips.

I'd rather have Ampadu from Chelski on a season long loan with an option to buy at the end of this campaign.

When will my club ever learn!?.

Matthew #51 "I'd rather have Ampadu from Chelski on a season long loan with an option to buy at the end of this campaign. When will my club ever learn!?"

Have we been offered Ampadu on a season loan with that option? I must have missed it. Fancy us turning that down.

We need to score goals to win games. That's the fundamental difference between the top sides and the rest, Goalscorers.

However, the less goals conceded, the less goals need to be scored.

But score we must. That's the hardest thing to do in football. I'd like to think the more chances we create, the more goals we score.

Dom or Ron need plenty of good crosses in and around the penalty spot. We don’t necessarily need a Messi to create simple clear cut chances but we do need other forwards to create space, create chances and chip in with a few goals.

If we can improve defensively as a team, cut out the sloppy passes, needless errors and actually make it harder for opposition players to get near our own box that helps.

We still need 2 top midfielders. I'm happy with short term season long loans as long as we improve this season. I'll worry about next season in a years time.

Can't we approach Chelsea Brent?,am sure our gaffer still has some credit there,the lad has come on a bundle playing for his country,he's also still young,can also play at C.B and I believe could really thrive here... just a thought like.

Matthew, might be worth a try.