Everton considering bid for striker Elye Wahi

Just seen we've been linked with Elye Wahi, 19-year-old French lad, who looks like a real handful. 6ft+, shoots with either foot, and is quick and tricky on the ball. Around £20M.

If this has any legs, then the sooner the better for me.

Would probably mean we have to get the money back in fees from the sale of others (A centre-back? Davies? Doucoure?).

What we don't need is to get to deadline day and still be looking for panic buys. By then, we could be out of the cup and propping up the table.

His YouTube goals newsreel certainly makes him look good, very mobile, skilful and pacy, but then it's designed to showcase him.

It's his birthday today, making him a few days younger than Tom Cannon but Tom does not have the same game time at a decent level on his CV.

Simms is a couple of years older than Wahi but is a different type of player.

Thelwell and Frank will no doubt decide if an offer is justified, but I guess they are looking at a number of options, always assuming they have got some cash.

His Wikipedia page makes for some deeply concerning reading – although none of it convicted. If true, it is massively too worrying for my palate.

Jimmy,

I'd swerve him as well reading that.

I'd say that Wikipedia page has been amended quite recently and probably not by a justifiable source.

Still, I'm not sure an up-and-coming 19-year-old is what we need right now.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Everton have again been linked with 28-year-old midfielder Guido Rodriguez. The Sáenz Peña born Argentine is currently playing for Real Betis after his move from Club America of Mexico in January, 2020.

Rodriguez started his career with River Plate in 2014 and has racked up 25 caps with Argentina. He was part of the 2021 Copa America team that won the South American championship.

Lampard also said the club were hopeful of turning Conor Coady’s loan from Wolves into a permanent deal at some stage, though he would not comment on reports linking Abdoulaye Doucoure with a move away.

Anthony Elanga

According to the Daily Mail, Everton are among a number of Premier League clubs to have set their sights on signing Elanga on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

The report suggests Lampard was eager to lure the Sweden international away from Manchester United during the summer, but his interest has not gone away and he is hopeful of eventually getting his man.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is in a ‘very strange’ situation regarding his long-term future at the club. Journalist Paul Brown saidt he 28-year-old only has 18 months remaining on his existing contract worth £110,000-per-week, as per Salary Sport, and has been linked with a host of top Premier League clubs.

Back in June Everton were set to ‘open talks on a new contract.

However, the England international is still yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms despite the protracted negotiations, sparking speculation over where he will be plying his trade next term.

I know everyone looks good on YouTube but he does look good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhi00bvmCe8

I posted elsewhere that this lad looks to have it all. Obviously, there is due diligence to be done by those in a better position to know than me.

But he is tall, quick, shoots with both feet and runs at people.
if we can free up the £22M plus wages by moving on a centre-back and a spare midfielder (or two), then this on the surface looks good business.

With the recall of Ellis Simms, it gives us options where we currently have none.

Jimmy Lee's post above alerted me to the player's Wiki page which makes distasteful reading, to say the least.

There are shades here of the Ched Evans saga which dragged on for about 5 years and there were certainly no winners from that sordid story.

According to a report in Spain, Everton have enquired about the availability of Almeria winger Largie Ramazani.

As cited by Inside Futbol, AS claims that the Blues have made an enquiry for the 21-year-old who has spent much of his early career in England.

The Belgian was in Charlton Athletic's Academy before moving to Manchester United but after failing to land a new deal with the Red Devils, moved to Almeria in 2020, helping them to win promotion to La Liga last season.

This term he has been an ever-present for his club, but Almeria are only willing to let Ramazani leave if his €40M release clause is met

Having read the Wiki page now, I would say that there would need to be some searching questions asked before we got involved.

Is it true? (I've learned not to believe everything on that site)
If so, Has it been dealt with? Is there any sign that this would not happen again?

We don't want to be left with a Mason Greenwood type on the books.

Reasonable technique but noticed he goes over at the slightest touch the question will be: Is he robust enough for Premier League warfare? If the opposition set a grock on him, will he vanish?

I wonder how many more players we will be mentioned as interested in before an hour till the end of the transfer window as we struggle to get in someone else's reject central defender we don't need?

Wiki page is a bit worrying and I am reminded of Moise Kean. We need to be careful with youngsters who are the "picture boys" of the moment.

I would rather we go with someone like Giroud who may be on his last legs but can teach the kids a few things and still contribute, even if it is only cameos.

Andy Gray and Peter Reid didn't do a bad job.

Apologies in advance and no offence meant towards any individual's opinion.

At this moment in time, I don't care who we may or may not sign.

It's just over 24 hours before we go and get 3 points against Brighton at Goodison Park with the squad we have. Only 4 days before we take 9,400 fans to Old Trafford to go into the hat for the 4th Round draw with the same squad.

That's where my head is right now.

I'd love it if we bought Giroud but I don't think he's for sale. he w ould also be on hefty wages. But, whatever happens, we need some strikers and we need them quickly to give us options.

One other thing – how come FC Satan signed Gakpo before the window opened? Or am I just overlooking the fact that the rules don't apply to them?

Nick @14, you need to ask Mrs Giroud, apparently.

I loathe what Koeman did to this club but if we'd got Giroud then?

Tony, unfortunately you are correct: Mrs Giroud didn't want to move up North (they have it tough, don't they).

Jay, Reid & Gray were neary 40 years ago; things have changed…

Nick, his deal only runs from 1 January so he could be announced before then.

Danny, agreed but the club has had months to get a striker in and, like the "Gakpo" case, can be lined up for 1 January. We knew the dire need for striking reinforcements and yet we're still scratching our asses wondering what to do except bring a young lad back from learning on loan.

The management of our club is disgraceful.

Don't know anything about any allegations etc so the club will obviously have to judge. On talent, however, this would be a very exciting signing.

At a very young age (younger than Cannon and Simms) he already has consistent end product. The quality of his goals and play is impressive too.

I said on another thread that many will prefer a wholehearted but ultimately very limited player like Gyökeres. He might be more consistent initially than a young talent like Wahi.

The difference is that, in 18 months time, Gyökeres will still be mediocre. Whereas Wahi could be a Champions League quality striker.

That's fair, Jay, as is your very pertinent last sentence.

My focus is on tomorrow and Friday. The club will hopefully do business this month in the areas we know are needed. I'm hopeful. I won't hold my breath. But I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Meanwhile, 3 points tomorrow is more important.

Er, Danny, as this is a thread headed The Rumour Mill, no compulsion for the disinterested to contribute; pretty sure Lyndon will preview the Brighton game tomorrow.

Whilst the 3 points will be handy for a team that's won two home games out of eight this season, might I suggest that your forecasts shouldn't be used to try to bankrupt the bookies!

I seem to remember you promised us 12 points in August. Hmm, no offence intended!!!

What worries me is that, whilst this link is probably nonsense as per usual, teams that need strikers have had it wrapped up before the window even started.

We've known all season we needed multiple forwards – why are we only at the 'considering. stage now?

We should have our targets identified and be moving for them right now. Liverpool, Wolves and Arsenal have all made moves and we'll be linked to 100 different names until the last week of the window, dropping numerous points in the process.

Ellis Simms is not the answer. I've seen nothing to indicate he's better than James Vaughan or Victor Anichibe, who at least contributed to the team. We need a proven goalscorer and a top-quality consistent winger.

Imagine if we'd not bought McNeil and, instead of a late £15M bid for Kudus, could've offered closer to £30M? I know it's all ifs and buts; I've just not seen anything that suggests we're going to be as ruthless as we need to be.

The Man City point was a great result but we are still in dire straights and the likes of Gordon, McNeil and Maupay should be nowhere near our club.

We had the Ajax lad going on strike, apparently, but now we have no chance of getting him.

I'm not saying get Gyökeres at all, but we should have at least someone scouted from outside of England and signed, even if it's for resale value (much like the maligned Walsh and to an extent, Brands, used to do).

But no, nothing set up apart from bringing back a player from a loan at the last minute. We're probably waiting for another club to make a bid for someone so we can get involved (and worry about the possibility of the PR stunt backfiring, in much the same way as Onana did).

But hey, we took 1 point from Wolves and Man City, so who needs reinforcements?

I'd rather have honesty from the club, and Fat Frank, rather than their improvisation of the UK Government. (No doubt to be called something along the lines Bill's and Boris's New Year luvviethon starring Liam Neeson as Fat Frank!)

Looks like a good prospect. Might be lacking in terms of physicality though.

Two very frustrating issues:

- that the club are incapable of going about their business without leaks, and

- that any move wasn't done weeks ago.

Lampard and Thelwell should have been well aware of our needs, and made moves to address the failings of the squad (goalscorer, creator).

My biggest concern of all rumours I've read recently is that Pickford is obviously reluctant to sign a new contract.

Knowing us, we'll sell him & immediately splash the money on World Cup winning Martinez – who the new Villa coach is apparently desperate to get rid of.

Don't trust rumors. I cannot see Everton really signing anyone except maybe a loan deal.

Simms has been brought back to replace Rondon on the roster but, quite honestly, he is only average.

After that stunning goal by Gray, I would like to see more consistency from him as he has proved he can finish and has pace.

Hopefully they can start the New Year well tomorrow.

No thanks. We need better and cheaper.

Just noticed Cristian Tello is available on a free. Age 31, very good stats for a winger – two-footed. Played for Barca – Neymar replaced him !! Also played for Fiorentina and Real Betis.

Total Appearances – 420, 70 goals, 61 assists. Injury record excellent. Classy player and free!! EFC should be all over him.

What makes you say that, Justin? I'm being curious rather than critical.

I have (along with Robert and others) advocated for this signing before. He could become a very good player and is showing a lot of potential. Importantly, he fulfils the need for someone who can play central, off the main striker, or wider. This to me is the type of player we should be looking at.

However, having since read his Wiki page (following comments above), I'm reconsidering my view, especially after he who shall not be named. The right characters are important too. Therefore Plan B: Brereton Diaz.

Leave well alone, if the Wiki page is even 10% accurate.

I have copied the said Controversy section of the Wiki page; hopefully this will help fellow TWebbers:

Controversy

In October 2021, a 22-year-old woman filed a legal complaint against Wahi for violence that resulted in her being incapable to work. She claimed that he had punched her in the nose during an evening out at the L'Entrepôt nightclub in Lattes, Hérault, in the night of 12–13 September a month earlier. The woman received treatment from emergency services due to the violence.

In November 2021, it was revealed by investigative reporter Romain Molina that Wahi had been expelled from Caen's youth academy for allegedly pressuring secondary school students to masturbate in front of him in the bathrooms.

Paul @ 25,

As ever, we're at the mercy of crumbs and rumours but, such as it is so far, I've only heard that it's "the club" that hasn't completed the contract process.

Who knows… but I'd rather not lose Pickford.

If EFC are mucking about with Pickfords contract talks as a certain former PM once said - That's A Disgrace. Get it done Everton. If we ever need to sell him there' will a queue as long as that, that wants to give BK a piece of their mind,

On another matter - A current Chilean International left back is available on a free. He's Gabriel Suazo. Age 25 and looks to have a bit about him. He was the team Captain and released on Monday. Definitely worth a look Mr Thelwell.

Wahi looks really good although needs to bulk up. We also don't want another Drenthe or Keane on our books. We don't have the time or money to waste on flunks. A quality goal scorer is urgently needed, and has been for a long time. This time, without it I fear we'll be relegated this season. I'm not seeing any other outcome.

As far as Pickford is concerned - he either commits or we sell him and cash in as we can't afford for players to leave on a free. +1 on the Martinez shout. I can't understand why a world cup winner would be benched, unless I'm missing something?

I must confess to being a tad confused [is it an age thing?]. I've never heard of the guy & my first thoughts turned to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

Robert @ 20 I rememebr you advocating Wahi a while ago. Certainly a talent though I'd be surprised given the apparent off field baggage.

Ligue 1 is usually a good hunting ground for bargains ( I also wish we'd be braver in South America- just look how well Brighton have done!) and the likes of Outtara, Le Fee, Gouiri, Moffi, Openda and Tete are all young players worth looking at who would not break the bank but could provide goals/assists. If we were going to break the bank then Jonathan David could be worth a more significant outlay.

Dennis (37)Eli Wallah, yes a good actor, great in Godfather 3, a really great nasty bastard in that !!

That's all a bit worrying if true, John # 33.

Anthony # 36, Wahi and young talents like him are our only chance of getting quality goal scorers.

If you only have c £15m to £20m to spend - but want ready made / experience then you end up with low quality Maupay or worse.

In today's market, we wouldn't be able to afford even a Beattie, Johnson or Yakubu from another Premier League club.

In fairness Sam, I didn't know about the worrying conduct when I mentioned his name previously!

Robert, of course not. Was certainly not meant as any type of criticism!

Today’s “ joueur du jour” is Randal Muani who plays for Frankfurt. He is a hot property, I’d be surprised if we could lure him to us and £50m is quoted so even the Arteta money won’t cut the mustard if it was found under Bill’s patio.

I think these websites have got a bingo machine with players names in it, they just run with whatever pops out on a given day.

Everton will still be “considering” players right up till the last week of the window when they will offer ‘panic contracts’ to the likes of Crouchy and (Mc)Faddy. Nothing really changes but I hope and pray Everton prove me wrong.

Avoid like the plauge... try looking at lower-league players here first, eh!