Everton open negotiations for Napoli's Lindstrøm

He hasn't exactly set the world on fire since his move from Frankfurt to Napoli last season. Also, he's a red shite, but I won't hold that against him if he scores a hat-trick in the derby. Slightly more worrying is that he likes to go by the moniker "Jobbe", which sounds a bit shit to me.

Anyway, rumour is that Klopp rang him and asked him to go to the Red Shite, but he thought he'd get more game time in Italy. Didn't happen though. To be honest, I can't see him coming here, so file under "bullshit rumour".

Can't say I've seen much of him so, for those that have, is he quick?

In my humble opinion, the winger we sign next needs to have that real blistering pace. With some real pace out wide, I feel we could actually be a half-decent team on the break.

YouTube often makes average players look superb

In a stunning turn up for the books, Lindstrom's Napoli ‘highlights' are so utterly dire, we should stay well away from this one.

He's pretty rapid, great acceleration and decent full speed. He's tricky and can definitely beat a man and can deliver a cross with a very good right foot.

It's an interesting one. He's not as exciting as Philogene and especially Minteh would have been but he looked a real talent in his last season at Frankfurt. He got no playing time at Napoli, where they have some very good wingers.

Definitely a more risky move but I'm imagining it would be a loan move with a purchase option around £15-18m. He's 24 so a bit older than the others we've been linked to.

I'd prefer someone like Asprilla, Gnonto, Rowe (Norwich) or Koleosho but it all depends on the terms of the deal.

I'd prefer the Armenian fella who was superb at the Euros but he's probably in the £100M plus bracket now.

Anyone who calls himself Jobbe needs to be avoided at all costs.

I just wonder that if all these rumours indicate some sort of transfer strategy on Everton's behalf then what sort of team, or more likely squad, are we aiming at?

Would this bloke be an alternative to Harrison or McNeil and where does Ndiaye fit in?

At least it seems Thelwell has a template for his transfer strategy. The financial shackles and PSR are still lingering but hopefully this is the start of a new business model for Everton.

If the stars align, it could be a very positive summer for Everton.

From elsewhere on the net:

"Last season, Lindstrom was able to make 22 Serie A appearances but failed to provide any goal contributions."

Next.

Alan, as we all know, sometimes these rumours are complete nonsense so it's hard to read too much into it all from a strategy perspective.

From a strategy point of view, I would assume Thelwell is looking at it all a few years ahead as to how the squad develops as players mature and contracts expire. Hope so anyway.

We know that next season there will be serious weaknesses still in the First XI and especially the wider squad that can't be fixed in one window - especially given we're currently being materially outspent by Ipswich.

So the immediate strategy is presumably to fix the most pressing problems (currently at right-back — although that may change if players depart) and pick up players of decent quality / potential who are available (like Lindstrom - and Danjuma last season) to bolster the squad and give us different tactical options.

Pat Kelly,

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that 22 appearances is very misleading since he only actually played just under 400 minutes of football. He was averaging 18 minutes of football a game.

Very tough call on the kid. Meanwhile in the Bundesliga, he managed 21 goal contributions in 57 matches over 3,700 minutes.

For comparison, Dwight McNeil put up 9 goal contributions in 2,900 minutes last season.

Sounds like all parties have signed off on this deal. Hope he's good.

On his way for medical, per Italian media. €3M loan fee with a €22M option to buy. 24 years of age.

Didn't score or assist at Napoli, but only got 416 playing minutes. Should be fresh and raring to go after a good spell at Brondby and Frankfurt. If not, we don't sign.

This looks a good bit of business with Ndiaye. Both haven't worked out at Marseille and Napoli, but are young enough to make it with us, and both have an ability to score & create previously. Two upgrades on last season.