Rumour Mill — Week of 1 June 2025

McAtee seems to be surplus to requirements at Man City. Apparently left out of their Club World Cup championship squad.

Could be a sensible buy, for someone that can play a couple of positions, technically sound… and just 22.

I see Manure have bought Cunha for £63m. Not bad for a club that claim not to have a pot to p*ss in and want you and me - the tax payer - to fund a rebuild of Old Trafford. The EPL, Corrupt as F.

Linked with Matt O'riley from Brighton. Scored some nice finishes at Celtic, 24, decent passer.

Bad ankle injury at Brighton on his debut pre season, but back playing.

Would seem a realistic signing in area of the pitch that needs strengthening.

Agree Ian B (1:) James McAtee would fit the bill for us right now, I think, in terms of both need and budget. The only other two out of that list that I would hope for would be Nick Woltemade and Rayan Cherki.

I am fucking sick to death of being linked with Josh Brownhill every fecking season. He's Burnley through and through with all that that means.

I'd be surprised if Brighton sold Matt O'Riley but that would be a good deal for us if it happened, I think.

When I saw that Jack @2, the phrase PSR, you're having a laugh came to mind. No European football, so they won't be subject to UEFA FFP, but lose the revenue they have been accustomed to.

£1B in debt, still owing around £300M in unpaid transfer fees the last time I looked. Their stadium will reportedly cost £2B, but then again will generate in excess of £5B in revenue. Speculate to accumulate ,as they say.

Kuna is a good player. I'm not sure how he would fit into whatever team they are trying to build. Then again, they haven't done that since Sir Alex left. They've just continuously bought an expensive collection of talented individuals and thrown them in the mix to see what happens. It sounds like they're having a clear out this summer, so maybe this will offset their spending.

So, to Everton. Within reason, forget PSR. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Go out, spend, but spend wisely and build a team and squad. I don't care if they cost £5M or £50M as long as they improve us.

I think we will be in for Brownhill as a cheap buy. If its right he's out of contract, it will be the type of free that we will pick up. Local, lowish wages, and would add a number to the middle of the park after a very good season stats wise.

I couldn't tell you if he's a good player or not. The ball was about 25 metres over his head when he was last in the Premier league.

Is this RS loanee Doak at Boro a real possibility. Would he be better than Harrison ?

Slightly off topic, but Kevin Thelwell, the new sporting director at Glasgow Rangers, says the search for a new manager is going well and they expect it to be concluded in the coming days.

Didn't someone on this site say the other day that Ancelotti junior had been confirmed as their new manager?

Staying "slightly off-topic" yet still being very much to the point - in the style of Rob@8 - I reckon Thelwell might try to get an Everton player or two on loan to Rangers.

Chermiti could do with getting a full season under his belt, netting a few along the way, and playing at Ibrox would be character building if nothing else.

The other option is Armstrong but I don't know what's best for the lad at this point? Probably playing, week-in and week-out rather than being on our bench and getting a few minutes here and there, but I can't really say.

Kev, Patterson on loan!! Or a permanent transfer.

Yeah, Rob (@10) that's another possibility, for sure.

I think from our point of view, given his injury problems, it would have to be a sale rather than loan – but I imagine his salary is higher than Rangers can afford right now?

I can see him being sold to one of the newly promoted teams, Leeds maybe?

Rob @8,

Rumour abounds that Stevie G is the returning manager!!

Michael, is not the World Cup 2026, or I have misread?

Jeff, it’s the FIFA Club World Cup which takes place in the USA, starting in about two weeks time.

Kev, I would rather Armstrong stayed with us rather than another loan.

It wouldn't surprise me if Thelwell sniffs around Everton for loans. Brands did it with Branthwaite at PSV and wanted to sign him.

Rob @8,

Rumour abounds that Stevie G is the returning manager!!

Michael, is not the World Cup 2026, or I have misread?

Jeff,

You're not gonna like this but there's now two:

The Fifa World Cup — between nations — the one we used to know and love: Amexicanada 2026

And then there's the Fifa Club World Cup — between clubs. America 2025.

Don't shoot please — I'm only the messenger!

Thanks Michael. I'll get me coat

Michael,

Don't forget Neal Maupay, how could we, he is in the departure lounge at Everton leaving officially in June or July — and I think we are due a few £M if Marseille take up their option to buy him, I think.

Yea, I think you're right, Dave. I should add him in.

When I started this Rumour Mill listing early last month, I thought I could refresh it with a new list each week… But most of it has to be carried over due to the nature of the beast — which almost defies documentation!

A rumour from Wyness ( not sure if he has any credibility left but just in case) that Alex Mitrovic may be available. He often looked very impressive and physically tough to play against whenever he played against us. 30 now and has been playing in Saudi league but may be worth a look

https://www.footballinsider247.com/aleksandar-mitrovic-to-everton-keith-wyness-drops-emphatic-transfer-verdict/

Mitrovic is a loose cannon and spends more time banned than playing if I remember rightly. Also too old, no resale value and would want big wages.
Need young hungry players with possible resale value if they ‘take off’ at Everton. I’m afraid that’s the game we’re in at the moment unless we can get into European football regularly.

John, Mitrovic scored 109 goals in 190 appearances for Fulham and since joining the Saudi's he's scored 47 in 51 games. He is an absolute bully but definitely knows where the net is.

I'd love us to sign him. However, we have no chance as his wages will be too high.

I see the world of clickbait have added Kalvin Phillips back on the list.

Please just say no and walk away. There aren't many players I would say I really like... but for some reason, I have developed an almost irrational dislike of this 'player'.

And talking of Man City, these horrible Jack Grealish lies won't go away either. (If I call them 'lies' then perhaps they won't ever come true.)

Then there's the third Man City link in no time at all: Oscar Bobb — on loan. At least he's still young at 21!

Buying or loaning Grealish would be a backward step. Stay well clear.

Meanwhile in Germany, I've noticed a young CF - Nelson Weiper. U21 German International, who plays for FSV Mainz. He's played a total of 700 minutes this season, mostly coming on as a sub. He's scored 3 goals with 2 assists. His contract is up in June, though the club have the option of a one year extension. Maybe we could buy him, loan him back to Mainz for next season, as one for the future. Transfer Market have him valued at £10m, which is a couple of a million more than Chermiti.

As for Grealish I don't think we are interested.

Another player on a free and a serial winner, though at 32 a veteran (not 40 though), is the current Argentinian International, Nicolas Tagliafico. A left-back, who can also play centre-back, if required. He's won the World Cup, 2 Copa Americas, 5 Dutch competitions and the Copa Sudamericana. Loads of experience and a born winner.

From Wiki:
He is noted for his "lung-busting stamina, excellent technique and continuous enterprise". As a result of his skills, as well as his playing position and club, and nationality, and striking visual resemblance Tagliafico has been compared to the Internazionale and Argentina full-back Javier Zanetti - not a bad player to be compered with, believe me.

Last season he played for Lyon, 31 times, scoring 3 with 3 assists. He missed 3 games with injury. I realise he's 32 but a couple of years of this guys mentality in the squad won't do us any harm. I can see him ahead of Mykolenko, which will Myko to really learn the attacking side of being a left back. His versatility of being able to cover the left side of central defense will also come in handy. He's the kind of player who will play on to 35/36, he's that fit.

Re Callum Wilson:

"A Newcastle statement has confirmed that they are in talks with Wilson over signing a new contract this summer."

It never seemed a likely move to me but I'm a terrible judge of whether these links are real or have any merit… which is why I just list them all out and see which ones actually happen in due course.

Spoiler alert: Very few, if any.

Michael (27)

Taking note of your spoiler alert but Oscar Bobb would be an interesting loan move. I thought he was very good in his first year as a Man City player in the Premier League but he was hardly used last season, has he been injured?

If he is fit and ready to play, he would be an asset to Everton — even though I doubt he is a player Moyes would go for!

Dave, we should get him just for the name.

Most of the crap on offer this morning is regurgitated twaddle but one I've added — whose been mentioned on here by fans but I've not seen linked before — is Kyle Walker-Peters.

Now, apart from an irrational aversion to double-barrelled names*, he fits our penchant for signing players whose notable contribution seems to include getting their team relegated...

* It just seems a total and pathetic parental cop-out to me. Yes, the fruit of your loins... but you can't decide which surname to go with, so you lumber the kid with two surnames.

Why exactly? You both have to have accreditation and recognition for performing the act? What does he do when he grows up, copulates, and produces something that now needs three (or even four) surnames??? Udderly ridiculous!!!

Or is this why formal names in Spain and Portugal are so long and convoluted?

Michael, in Hispanic culture, if you don't use both parents surnames you can be considered illegitimate (hijo natural) or even worse, Bastardo. There's a lot of social stigma attached to this.

In the UK it tends to be used by a bunch of pretentious twats who think it makes them sound like nobility.

Dave 28,

Oscar Bobb has been out all season with a hamstring injury. Think he's had a few injuries (broken leg) for someone so young.

I agree that he's looked a good player

I have to agree, Michael, we don't choose our names. I have a friend who named his daughter Natasha West. The first thing I said to him, was that you do realise she will be called Natwest?

Probably the strangest one, was when I was introduced to an American serviceman on exercise in California.

"Hi, I'm Randy Coffee". I didn't know where to put my face or how I kept a straight one.

Parents need to think these things through.

Bobb looks an interesting one. I don't know much about him, but at 21 and on City's books, maybe a loan deal? Good to see some other names being thrown out there aside from the usual suspects.

My brother knew a girl called Patricia Mycock……….AKA Pat!!

My two sons had a mate whose nickname was Cocka.

I asked them why he was called Cocka — they said because his surname was Roach!

Dave, myself and my two brothers all went through school called “Cocker”. Even some teachers called us that.

We used to have a ‘school cock' who was the toughest kid and would accept fights from anyone willing to challenge him. I was the school cock before I voluntarily retired (unbeaten) after a few months. I was 10 at the time.

Do school cocks still exist?

Cock of the school.

That takes me back.

I wasn't the cock (more of a cock head until I grew up).

James McAtee should come to us, only for the fact that he has a famous relation who spent a wonderful five years playing for us!!

Ray (35), Ray your surname is the “Posh” upper class version of that name.

I used to get my suits made by Abrams in London Road and when I went into the shop the manager used to say “Here’s our Cus” and I’d tell him “ No you lot are the Smiths- ten a penny, I’m like the Smythes a bit more up the ladder”

I have a friend who's mother is Vanilla Bean, I coached a boy named Dwight House and I had a colleague at work who's first names were Queen Elizabeth. She was known as Queenie.

Dave, our headmaster always pronounced it (probably correctly) Rosh much to the amusement of my common as muck classmates. Travelling through France it’s a name that’s…..well, common as muck!

Ray, are you related to the Ferrero Roche clan then?

Colin, We’re the branch of the family that would have been kept locked in a soundproof cellar, out of sight.

Taty Castellanos, striker at Lazio???

Seems like there's a bet been placed amongst the cognoscenti who make up this transfer stuff:

Who has got the most ridiculous name for a footballer that we can link to Everton?