Agent: Ba had agreed terms with Everton

, 17 July, 81comments  |  Jump to most recent
Football agent, Ahmet Bulut, has claimed that Demba Ba came very close to signing for Everton this week but was persuaded to join Besiktas in Turkey.

"It wasn't an easy transfer, it took a month of talks," Bulut is quoted as saying by Turkish-football.com. "But at the end we achieved our goal, Demba Ba always wanted to join but we had trouble convincing Chelsea.

"There were around five clubs interested in Ba, actually Everton had agreed terms with Ba but we clinched the deal last minute.

"Ba was intrigued by the prospect of playing in a country with a muslim majority as well as the Besiktas stadium project and the interest shown by the fans."

The 29 year-old Senegalese striker completed a £4.7m move from Stamford Bridge to Besiktas today.

Further comments from Bulut may hint at Jose Mourinho's plans for Romelu Lukaku as well, with the agent suggesting that the Chelsea boss is only looking to offload one of his strikers.

"Chelsea had four forwards," Bulut continued. "Mourinho wanted to get rid of one of them and as a result had no reservations with the club letting go of Ba."

The decision still seems to rest with Lukaku, however, who has indicated that he needs to find a new club for guaranteed first-team football and is mulling over his future during a post-World Cup holiday with his girlfriend.

 

Reader Comments (81)

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Kunal Desai
1 Posted 18/07/2014 at 07:03:11
Wouldn’t want him anyway. Another mercenary.
Phil Sammon
2 Posted 18/07/2014 at 07:27:33
They might be a largely Muslim country Demba...but I wouldn’t expect them to welcome you with open arms.
Erik Dols
3 Posted 18/07/2014 at 08:05:51
To throw in some food for thought about the stadium debate. I just googled that "Besiktas stadium project" the article mentions and apparantely they are redeveloping their outdated 32k-seater stadium into a state of the art 42k-seater stadium with a lot of corporate facilities. This was quite tricky as parts of the old stadium were historical monuments and couldn’t be demolished. The price? £47m.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vodafone_Arena

I do realise that labour costs will be far more expensive in the UK but still, seems ridiculous that people expect that redeveloping Goodison would cost £300m or so.

Duncan McDine
4 Posted 18/07/2014 at 08:20:31
What a twat.

More importantly, does that mean he was lined up as our main CF for next season? An average aging player like him?

Jim Bennings
5 Posted 18/07/2014 at 08:20:44
Regardless of whether we really would have wanted him or not, it seems Roberto Martinez did, (was linked with him last summer too wasnÂ’t he) and it seems like itÂ’s another clear kick in the goolies for our search for that elusive striker.

I am getting concerned that this is slowly taking the look of a classic David Moyes summer transfer window.

We are waiting on Lukaku to make a decision says Martinez but have we actually made a concrete offer for him?

What happens if Lukaku says he wants to leave Chelsea and it sparks a bidding war?

I can think of Spurs, and a few others who would be ahead of us. There is also the fact Chelsea will say to Everton £20 million so then what? We don’t spend that kind of cash do we?

It sounds like from what Roberto says we have already agreed a price or deal with the bosses at Chelsea and itÂ’s merely down to Lukaku but I wouldnÂ’t hold breath.

It’s late July and you’d think seriously the deals we still need to conclude are: Besic – get that tied up quickly; Traore – if he’s coming on loan again do it.. if not move on; Lukaku or that marquee 20-goal striker; and finally a pacy wide player.

Ernie Baywood
6 Posted 18/07/2014 at 08:25:33
Decent player that would have strengthened us. IÂ’ve no expectation that someone who has never played for us should pick us over another club he has never played for.

Still think heÂ’s a twat though.

Kieran Fitzgerald
7 Posted 18/07/2014 at 08:32:35
Jum, it is very frustrating. Things could drag on all summer. We could also get everything wrapped up in a week. Traore and Besic talks are both ongoing and could get settled very quickly. If, as it seems we are in a strong position around Lukaku, then we could make an offer that could be accepted quickly. I donÂ’t see a lot of mentions of other clubs coming in for Lukaku.
Eugene Kearney
8 Posted 18/07/2014 at 08:34:44
Jim, I totally agree with your frustration and itÂ’s a familiar feeling for this time of the year, but Roberto did state at the end of the season that heÂ’ll be wanting 6 or 7 players and he must have talks going on here and there. He must know what/who he wants, surely....

I think a reaaly good season at Everton + uncertainty of regular playing at Chelski have swayed LukakuÂ’s way of thinking and there are "complications" to iron out, so Roberto must be waiting for that one.

It would be nice to see a signing or two in the next few days to settle our frustration/impatience.....the Besic saga is really dragging on, for example......

Colin Glassar
9 Posted 18/07/2014 at 08:53:25
Was it just me or did anyone else see a picture of Traore, training with the lads in Austria, in the daily mail yesterday? If it wasnÂ’t him it mustÂ’ve been his double.
Ray Roche
10 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:12:43
I canÂ’t help thinking that the amount of "reports" linking clubs "eyeing" Barkley that we may have a sell before we buy scenario similar to the Rooney, Fellaini etc. deals.
Jamie Barlow
11 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:24:07
Colin, are you sure it wasnÂ’t Dennis Lawrence?
Pablo Brown
13 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:22:59
Ba should have had word with Kevin Campbell before he signed for a Turkish side. Anyhow, IÂ’m glad we missed out on him; heÂ’s too old, and knowing our luck, his knee wouldÂ’ve packed in.

Ray Roche

Robbie said we were in a good financial position, and we didnÂ’t have to sell.

Colin Glassar
14 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:31:45
Is he 7 feet tall, Jamie? He was very tall.
Jamie Barlow
15 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:34:52
Apparently heÂ’s 6Â’ 8" Colin.

Maybe weÂ’ll stick him up front if it comes to it.

Steve Cotton
16 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:35:13
The very fact that we had agreed a deal with Ba, whether he took us up on it or not, implies that we were going for him. Therefore the Lukaku deal was never going to happen.

I’m pretty sure if Kenwright had got Ba for say £9M, then we would have finalised the basic deal and be looking at another. As this hasn’t come off, then we may have to shell out the big bucks for Lukaku and other deals will suffer...

Also, Swansea have not even been approached about Bony so forget that one.

Sam Morrison
17 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:10:21
While Ba would have felt like a short-term signing, Martinez knows as well as anyone that having 5-year plans is one thing - a series of games happening in the here and now with no striker to bang the goals in is quite another; for the players, club and fans especially - we Evertonians are often prone to morbid speculation and pessimistic outlooks after all. This would have been a decent signing - but no need to panic just yet.
Marcus Reynolds
18 Posted 18/07/2014 at 08:54:30
Newcastle seem to be making a statement for the season ahead. Getting their new signings in nice and early. We should be doing the same ASAP. Why do we always leave it until the last day of the transfer window.
Patrick Murphy
19 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:46:21
Marcus - One of the reasons; and its in the annual accounts is that Everton FC have to negotiate with their lenders what the overdraft will be for the coming period so that takes time and Banks are not being as generous with terms and conditions as they were several years ago.

Secondly until we bank the TV money in August we probably donÂ’t have the hard cash available immediately that some of these deals may require.

Three - itÂ’s not like going to the supermarket with a list of items and picking them off the shelf. I reckon any player of the required ability will have more than one club showing interest and that also complicates the transfer process and can be very time consuming.

Proof of that if proof is needed is the latest rumour that Juve are showing interest in Lukaku.

Derek Knox
20 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:56:53
Bit like Bullseye: "look what you could have won!"

Like the fellow posters have said on here, he has shown mercenary traits, and besides heÂ’s another with African team commitments come the African Cup.

I must admit it is frustrating to hear of other clubs making additions, although, having said that, I canÂ’t help think some of our rivals are paying way over the top, for some players who we have rarely heard of!

I hope it will all pan out in our favour at the end, and as always trust Roberto to make the right choices for the club!

Marcus Reynolds
21 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:56:19
Patrick,

I know a leopard never changes his spots, BUT you would think on the back of last season performances and the fact we are playing in Europe this season that all of the above points you have made would have been addressed by the board.

The air of optimism around the club this up-and-coming season is huge. I donÂ’t buy into the theory that we have to wait for the banks to give us the green light before the club can eventually go shopping for new players.

Jim Knightley
22 Posted 18/07/2014 at 09:56:03
Patrick: It looks like the Morata deal will still go through now, and if that is so, Juventus will not get Lukaku. That Lukaku is even linked with Juventus stinks of Journo bullshit given both the Morata agreement and ConteÂ’s resignation. They also have Tevez and Llorente and limited funds, so I doubt the validity of that claim.

IÂ’m very disappointed about Ba, but I still believe that Lukaku is slowing up our transfer business. I think we do have the funds for him, and want him, and the waiting could work out well or fuck us over. On the plus side, if Besic is confirmed, we would have brought in a young promising DM and experienced Premier League quality (Barry) already, with 4 weeks to go before things kick off.

As I see it now, we must concentrate most of our funds on a top quality striker, and a creative left sided midfield player. IÂ’d then like to see an additional attacking midfield and then perhaps a young cb for the future, and the return of Traore for numbers.

I think next season will depend largely on the quality of the striker and the left sided midfielder. (I assume that would be a priority, or a right sided player to allow Mirallas to shift to the left. I see that as a weak area in the team with no prospect of immediate improvement unlike the AMC area occupied by Barkley.)

Shane Corcoran
23 Posted 18/07/2014 at 10:18:40
Why is Ba being labelled a mercenary?
Steve Fletcher
24 Posted 18/07/2014 at 10:24:06
Marcus @18.

I can understand the frustration and others will detail what they see as to the whys and wherefores of our lack of transfer dealings so far. But I really wouldnÂ’t worry about Newcastle getting their dealings in early and making a statement, for 2 reasons:

Reason 1 — they are Newcastle United.
Reason 2 — Alan Pardew.

To paraphrase JayZ, we (may) have problems, the Barcodes ainÂ’t one of them.

Jim Bennings
25 Posted 18/07/2014 at 10:23:10
Ideally as I stated before you are looking and hoping for the Besic deal to be concluded within 48 hours, the Traore deal within the next week or so (IÂ’m not mad keen on him but he will boost the numbers) and then we have to move onto the big one which is making sure we get the striker who us capable of scoring the goals that ensure our top 4 or 5 challenges.

Failure to sign that goalscoring striker will let down the rest of the good work done by the team, we have witnessed what happens when your play is outstanding but you donÂ’t have anyone with a killer instinct.

Traore and Kone are decent options for the bench but we need that talisman, the type of play that saw Lukaku almost hit the 20-goal mark last season (something IÂ’m sure he would have achieved if he had started with us in August) and not suffered the bad injury at Anfield which kept him out for a month in February.

Ray Roche
26 Posted 18/07/2014 at 10:32:44
Pablo Brown @13

Pablo, Robbie can say what he likes, he has just been given a new bumper contract, and may well be toeing the line, just as our old manager did. All I DO know, is that instead of having our new signings, should we sign anyone that is, at our pre-season training getting to know their new team mates, we are as usual, seemingly waiting for some Sky money to appear so Bill can bring someone in at the last minute.

We SHOULD have the money, or at least the profit, from the Fellaini sale. McCarthy was presumably bought from the proceeds of the Jelavic and Anichebe sales plus the reduction in wages from those two and others who left.

Kunal Desai
27 Posted 18/07/2014 at 10:49:50
Demba Ba is mercenary. He moved from West Ham to Newcastle to Chelsea, everytime for more money, whatÂ’s to say he would have stayed at Everton for longer than a season?

As for Kenwright and the clowns, they didnÂ’t invest when the club finished 4th in 2005 so what makes people think they will invest this time around. The club bumped up and improved MartinezÂ’s contract as a way of saying "shutup a toe the party line". I would not be surprised if Martinez walks away in a season time and says "IÂ’m not the man for this job working with these imbeciles."

I may be proved wrong between now and the end of the window, who knows. However, I think something drastic has to happen (in a negative way) at this club to make these custodians realise once and for all that they are not the right fit to take EFC forward. They screw over the club and more importantly the supporters season after season... and one season it will stop!

Eugene Ruane
28 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:00:13
Kunal (28) - "Demba Ba is mercanary. He moved from West Ham to Newcastle to Chelsea, everytime for more money,"

Bastard!!! The Premier League doesnÂ’t need the likes of HIM!

At least now heÂ’s gone, we can get back to players only moving to clubs for less money.

[Shakes head, despairs at level of argument...]

Shane Corcoran
29 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:06:49
Kunal, in each transfer wasnÂ’t the move at least perceived to be a step-up in footballing terms.

If heÂ’s a mercenary then I think most players are. Coleman should have stuck it out at Sligo Rovers. Look at them now in the Europa League.

Kunal Desai
30 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:07:32
So give your reasons as to why you would have liked to see Ba at Everton then Eugene?
Kunal Desai
31 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:12:41
So youÂ’d like Everton to bring in a player who has now moved 3 times in the last 2 seasons? Does that not tell you anything?
Shane Corcoran
33 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:23:11
If that question is to me Kunsal then I never said I wanted Ba.

IÂ’m just questioning the Mercenary tag.

I think heÂ’s an excellent finisher but doesnÂ’t do enough else to warrant buying him.

Kunal Desai
34 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:26:42
ThatÂ’s fair enough Shane, however heÂ’s chosen Besiktas over Everton. Â’A step up in footballing termsÂ’?? Really? That says a lot about Everton then.
Kunal Desai
35 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:26:42
ThatÂ’s fair enough Shane, however heÂ’s chosen Besiktas over Everton. Â’A step up in footballing termsÂ’?? Really? That says a lot about Everton then.
Shane Corcoran
36 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:34:45
Fair point Kunsal but I take this whole "terms were agreed with Everton" with a pinch of salt.
Dan McKie
37 Posted 18/07/2014 at 11:35:22
Notice how there was no mention of agreeing terms with Chelsea?

BK: "Demba, 60k a week?"
DB: "IÂ’ll have some of that, Bill"
BK: "Roman, how much?"
RA: "{£Insert cash amount}"
BK: "Nevermind, hey ho, I tried"

Kevin Tully
38 Posted 18/07/2014 at 12:42:12
If this transfer was nearly done as suggested, that leaves me thinking Lukaku has turned us down. (If we ever made him an offer!)

There is no way we were going for both Lukaku & Ba, that would mean we were intent on spending approx £30m on two strikers.

I am resigned to the fact we will fall short in our pursuit of our No 1 targets this season. Shit.

Eric Myles
39 Posted 18/07/2014 at 13:19:46
Erik #3, theyÂ’re not the only team redeveloping their ground at a reasonable cost, thereÂ’s plenty in England that are also.

It just seems that so many of our fans love to fall for the boardÂ’s bs.

Tom Bowers
40 Posted 18/07/2014 at 13:25:52
Thank God he signed for Besiktas! Over-rated. Cannot see what RM saw in him but then again, Traore and Kone still question marks.
Eric Myles
41 Posted 18/07/2014 at 13:26:58
Kunal #28, are you saying that you would never move employers for more money?
Peter Thistle
43 Posted 18/07/2014 at 13:31:45
I didnÂ’t want him to sign anyway, although respect to him for killing the RS title hopes. He might be in for a surprise with the racism toward black players in Turkey. Remember Kevin Campbell being called a cannibal by his own chairman. Shady place.
Matthew Roberts
44 Posted 18/07/2014 at 13:49:42
Well this is bad news all round, it means Roberto was probably lining him up as our main striker, and his agent saying doesnÂ’t look like Mourinho will let Rom go.
Kieran Kinsella
45 Posted 18/07/2014 at 13:50:05
I donÂ’t buy the whole "we have to renegotiate our od facility" argument. Every year we make a healthy profit from player sales and all our rivals are flush with tv money from Sky. I wonder if we even borrow money from a bank ad opposed to a dodgy back alley loan shark. That would explain the debt burden plus BKs caution as he doesnÂ’t want to get knee capped if he misses a payment.
Patrick Murphy
46 Posted 18/07/2014 at 14:11:55
Kieran you may not buy it but it is a fact of life that Everton FC run the business as what I would call a Â’back-loadingÂ’ system - i.e. what comes in this year pays for what has already been spent in the previous years. Season Ticket money is already allocated to pay off some of the loans incurred some 11 or so years ago.
I stand to be corrected of course but this is from the Notes in the June 2013 Accounts:

The Group meets its day to day
working capital requirements through
an overdraft facility and a bank loan.
Additionally, because of the predictable
nature of football club revenue streams,
the Group has obtained further funding
post year end through the securitisation
of future guaranteed revenues, as is
common industry practice, and as it has
done in the past. This funding replaced
an existing loan and is repayable in
August 2014. Based on ongoing dialogue
with the existing and potential funders,
the Directors are confident that this facility
will be replaced by an equivalent facility
on repayment.

The GroupÂ’s current overdraft facility and
bank loan expire on 31 July 2014. The timing
of the expiry of the current facilities on
31 July 2014 allows the GroupÂ’s bankers
and the Directors to agree appropriate
facilities for the following season based on
performance in the 2013-14 Premier League
season and reflect activities, including
the GroupÂ’s player trading activity in the
January 2014 transfer window and the start
of the summer 2014 transfer window.

Kunal Desai
47 Posted 18/07/2014 at 14:11:23
Eric,

Of course I would, but how would it look to a prospective employer if I have had itchy feet three times in two years? If Everton want stability, they certainly wonÂ’t get it from someone like Ba.

James Stewart
48 Posted 18/07/2014 at 14:15:24
BBC reporting the fee as £4.7M. Cheap but glad we didn’t sign him in the end. Anyone who picks his clubs on the religious majority of the country I would stay well clear of. Muppet.
Eugene Ruane
49 Posted 18/07/2014 at 14:00:25
Kunal, the reason I think that pointing out or stating Ba is Â’a mercenaryÂ’ is completely invalid, void and to be blunt, shit Â’pointÂ’, is because of itÂ’s selectivity, a selectivity that suggests he is but others arenÂ’t.

The truth is of course the complete opposite - that they ALL go for Â’more moneyÂ’ if they can.

Reality = if heÂ’s a mercenary, they ALL are.

Your response (oddly) to my pointing this out is – "So give your reasons as to why you would have liked to see Ba at Everton then Eugene?"

See if you can grasp the following (I promise itÂ’s simple)

Me pointing out that your "heÂ’s a mercenary" argument is piss-weak (see above) does in NO FUCKING WAY even hint that I would like to see Ba at Everton.

If you disagree, please point out which specific bit of my post alludes to me wanting him at Goodison.

(I repeat, you’re not thinking this stuff through – maybe there’s a venting.com somewhere you’d benefit from.)

Kunal Desai
50 Posted 18/07/2014 at 15:28:20
Thanks for clearing that up Eugene. Reading you loud and clear!! If Tony Hibbert hasnÂ’t moved club does that make him a mercenary then? What exactly are basing your "Reality = if heÂ’s a mercenary, they ALL are" surely you generalising here, these are merely assumptions you are making?

Do you have proof that every player who moves on has gone for more money, do you have stats to prove this? I could say that your point is Â’shitÂ’. LetÂ’s leave it at that as we beg to differ on Â’opinionsÂ’.

Paul Andrews
51 Posted 18/07/2014 at 16:14:41
DidnÂ’t Arteta take a pay cut to join Arsenal?
Paul Ferry
52 Posted 18/07/2014 at 16:19:14
Kunai - I think it might be a good idea for you to draw a line under this. Each new question you fire, apparently to try and force Eugene into an impossible corner, is beginning to sound sillier than the last one. Time to move on, sunshine.
Ross Hutchinson
53 Posted 18/07/2014 at 16:44:43
According to Eurosport, Liverpool and Juventus have bid £19 Million for Lukaku. If this is true then he’s definitely not coming to us. I would be totally gutted if he signed for the dark side.
Lyndon Lloyd
54 Posted 18/07/2014 at 17:28:35
...and according to reports in Spain and Italy, Alvaro Morata is Juve’s top striking target this summer and is about to sign for them for £18m.
Paul Andrews
55 Posted 18/07/2014 at 17:55:37
Ross,

Not as gutted as Lukaku would be if he signs for the lovable neighbours.

I would imagine he could not walk around in the city, such would be the amount of bad feeling.

Tom Evans
56 Posted 18/07/2014 at 17:59:57
Maybe been mentioned previously, but good mate of mine, a Toon supporter, told me Ba does what his family decrees. All about going to the highest paymaster in order to support his extended family. Him being labelled a mercenary is therefore spot on.
Mark Tanton
57 Posted 18/07/2014 at 18:06:03
I would direct your anger at the club rather than Lukaku, if that happens. It will just be another tough lesson in how to do transfer business. We wank about for weeks and everyone else just gets it done quick sharp. Tough titties and time we smartened up.
Eugene Ruane
58 Posted 18/07/2014 at 18:07:47
Tom Evans - "Him being labelled a mercenary is therefore spot on"

And him ALONE being labelled a mercenary is selective and consequently, disingenuous bollocks.

Two more things.

1) Your post is going to confuse Kunal as, although youÂ’re agreeing with his view, you say "but good mate of mine, a Toon supporter told me.." - thereby not being able to show the facts, stats, photographic evidence that he insists on.

2) You add "All about going to the highest paymaster in order to support his extended family" What!? So not only does he support his own family, but his EXTENDED family to? The lousy money-obsessed, greedy, selfish mercenary twat!

Why couldnÂ’t he be like the rest of the non-mercenary lads in the prem and buy himself a few streets, apartment buildings, walled and gated garish mansions or race-horses?

Jim Knightley
59 Posted 18/07/2014 at 18:17:32
Chelski will not sell Lukaku to Liverpool. They would not sell to their rivals, and the chances of doing so are decreased considerably by the previous Sturridge mistake.

Two bids of 19mil suggests perhaps that Chelski have outlined the low 20s as a realistic selling price, which I think is good news for us. I think we will spend at least 30million this summer given the massively increased television money, the net transfer profits (16mil ish last season?) and wage decreases. I think we could get in Lukaku and Besic, with some money over for an another midfielder. I think we will pad out the squad with 2 or 3 loans as well.

I expect we will know more about the Lukaku situation when he returns to Chelski after his delayed summer holidays. Given the inflated prices of domestic transfers this summer (off the back of tv money increases), I think a fee around 20million would be more than fair (Debuchy: 10-12mil, Lallana 25mil, Shaw 30mil, Lovren 18mil rejected).

We cannot compete with the teams above us in terms of spending power, but we can look to invest in youth and bring together a team with promise for years to come. If we did manage to bring in Besic and Lukaku (unlikely but realistic nonetheless), we would have Besic, Lukaku, Oviedo, Coleman, McCarthy, Stones, Robles and Barkley all under the age of 26. The likes of City and United could not boast such impressive youth prospects, and it would give us alot to look forward to.

Daniel Lawrence
60 Posted 18/07/2014 at 18:53:00
£360 million spent so far by EPL clubs...
..tick Tock Kenwright
Ste Traverse
61 Posted 18/07/2014 at 18:49:34
Chelsea wonÂ’t sell Lukaku to Â’themÂ’? Well they flogged them Sturridge who is arguably a better player.
Shane Corcoran
62 Posted 18/07/2014 at 19:08:17
Eugene and Paul, I think youÂ’re being a bit unfair on Kunsal.

He thinks Ba is a mercenary because he chases the money. ThatÂ’s his opinion. Not every player necessarily chases the money. Someone mentioned Arteta and I think I remember Richard Wright taking a pay cut to come to Everton. IÂ’m sure there are others. I donÂ’t see the need to treat him like a child with your "see if you can grasp" comments.

And I was the one that questioned the statement in the first place.

Matthew Roberts
63 Posted 18/07/2014 at 18:58:28
Not sure I believe these rumours of Juve and the Redshite in for Rom. Not Juve for the reasons outlined by others on here, theyÂ’re buying Morata and they have good other striking options there and I think the Redshite would be a hard sell for Rodgers being that he played for us last season and I donÂ’t think he plays how they like to play.

LetÂ’s hope IÂ’m right anyway because itÂ’d make me sick watching him play for the gobshites.

Paul Andrews
64 Posted 18/07/2014 at 19:23:37
Suarez dropped £40,000 per week to get his move.

And what a cunt he is...

Eugene Ruane
65 Posted 18/07/2014 at 19:21:57
Shane - sorry but Â’he thinks Ba is a mercenary because he chases the moneyÂ’ is imo no argument at all. It separates Ba from the rest which is simply picking and choosing who you want to vent against (nb: like a child). You yourself have only been able to supply two names who MAY have gone for less money. My view is that, semantics aside, anyone pointing at one PL player and singling them out as a mercenary, while ignoring the rest, has nothing to offer the debate.
Andrew Hawes
66 Posted 18/07/2014 at 19:15:14
I think we all just want to see signings at this point. ItÂ’s hard to stomach seeing our neighbours having already spent 60 million and apparently havenÂ’t even touched the Suarez money yet !

This whole Lukaku pantomime is really getting tiresome. The guy obviously doesnÂ’t want to sign and I really hope we have plans in place and not placing all our eggs in one basket .

Lallana and Lambert both signed during a World Cup in which they were involved, yet we are still hearing this bollocks about Lukaku not making a decision before, during or after? This following a season where we had the opportunity 7 days a week to sit him down and get a straight yes or no!

I am worried about the lack of talk about a playmaker also. Last season we relied on Osman and Pieanar who usually did a half each because they are past it, so whatÂ’s this seasonÂ’s plan?

Barry, McCarthy, Gibson and even Besic if we get him are all defensive midfielders and in my opinion Arteta was never replaced. Barkley for me still needs another season of man management before he could do this role week in, week out.

Shane Corcoran
67 Posted 18/07/2014 at 19:56:25
Eugene, perhaps Ba isnÂ’t a good example (I think it isnÂ’t) but surely youÂ’d agree that there are some players who are more obviously moving for money than others?

My opinion is that players generally move to enhance their playing careers. Player from mid-table clubs move to clubs better positioned to win trophies, e.g. Lescott, or players move down in order to get first team football, e.g. Pienaar coming back.

When neither of these situations is obvious then the reason that sticks out is money. Would you agree?

Robbie Muldoon
68 Posted 18/07/2014 at 20:16:42
Heard today from a player at Everton... Lukaku is coming back :)
Eugene Ruane
69 Posted 18/07/2014 at 20:03:48
Shane, here are some random thoughts.

There are two/three/ (whatever) teams who can offer almost guaranteed CL football and most players would want that and would (want to) move to get it

(itÂ’s not of course 100% guaranteed - worked for Rooney, didnÂ’t work for Fellaini)

Most players however donÂ’t get the chance because those teams arenÂ’t interested in them, or if you prefer, theyÂ’re only interested in the very best.

So letÂ’s first take that group, those good enough to get a move to the top. All these players have agents and the agents are successful if they (remember they) can squeeze out the maximum amount from the buying club.

The players IÂ’m sure are delighted in doubling/trebling their wages, but itÂ’s not them doing the negotiating.

Then there is Â’the restÂ’ which involves deals that involve the likes of Pienaar to Spurs (and back).

Players considered good enough to play in the Prem but not right at the very very top of it.

Again, they have agents to negotiate their deals and keep in mind, players in the PL on what they would probably consider Â’shitÂ’ wages (eg: 15 grand a week), on contracys longer than 3 years, are multi-millionaires when they put pen to paper.

After they sign?

Well some get on with managers, some fall out, some get selected, some donÂ’t.

Some are quiet and easy to manipulate, some never stop moaning and demanding.

Some are from other countries and other continents and have no real feel for where they are, some are local and play for local sides.

Some arenÂ’t that arsed about money, some chase every penny.

In essence, they are (great wages, flash cars and big houses aside) a bit like the rest of us - a bit of a mixture.

Now regarding Demba Ba, the Â’reasonÂ’ for him being singled out as Â’a mercenaryÂ’ by Kunal (a particularly nasty accusation in my book) was as follows - "He moved from West Ham to Newcastle to Chelsea, everytime for more money"

This I might add from someone with the nerve to ask me for stats as proof and admonish me for making Â’assumptionsÂ’ (as shit-house rabble-rouser Richard Littlejohn might say, you couldnÂ’t make it up)

You ask do I agree there are "some players who are more obviously moving for money than others?"

Of course, absolutely and 100%, and the key word is some - that was exactly my problem with the Â’Ba is a mercenaryÂ’ - ONE feller, being accused on the basis of nothing other than but heÂ’s played for three clubs and Kunal fancies a vent.

Demba Ba may very well be a mercenary, but the accusation is completely invalid for two reasons. 1) The Â’evidenceÂ’ presented is pure guesswork 2) So are loads of other players...and loads of agents...and clubs...and Sky...

Raymond Fox
70 Posted 18/07/2014 at 20:36:19
Add me to the many who have said that their relieved that we didnÂ’t get Ba. Whenever I saw him play, which was admittedly not that often, he was poor in the extreme!

Lukaku wonÂ’t be playing for us this season, in my opinion, and if in the unlikely event he does, itÂ’s quite obvious he has no great desire to!

Our problem is that which centre-forward can we attract of sufficient quality that will want to play for us? Not too many names spring to mind!

Kunal Desai
71 Posted 18/07/2014 at 20:55:49
Eugene - As I previously stated before, this site is about opinions, whether or not you or anyone agrees or disagrees with me I have absolutely no problem with, but when you start resorting trying to belittle me Â’See if you can grasp the following (I promise itÂ’s simple)Â’ then I think itÂ’s you whoÂ’s the one thatÂ’s a child.

Why express that tone in your post against a fellow supporter? I can only imagine you were bullied at school when you were young and you couldnÂ’t fight back and now is the opportunity to show your hand over the internet.

Bullies donÂ’t win, they just show arrogance and ignorance. ItÂ’s a real shame as I used to quite enjoy reading your posts in the past, which I will bypass from now onwards. Seriously mate you need to have a day off.

Jim Knightley
72 Posted 18/07/2014 at 21:20:53
Ste..think about it. 1) Sturridge wasnÂ’t a better player when he left Chelski 2) Liverpool were not direct competitors 3) Chelski will not risk another Sturridge situation.

And I saw Ba play as well, and he is a very good striker. He scored better than 1 in 2 for Newcastle and West Ham despite spending five barren months on the wing following CisseÂ’s arrival.

Colin Glassar
73 Posted 18/07/2014 at 21:33:49
Why is Ba being called Agent Ba? Is he a secret weapon?
David Nicholls
74 Posted 18/07/2014 at 21:23:40
Asamoah Gyan?
Eugene Ruane
75 Posted 18/07/2014 at 21:25:25
Kunal - Yeah, yeah IÂ’m an internet bully hiding behind the computer etc blah waffle desperation.

But..fair enough, presumably, you wonÂ’t just be impugning and insulting Ba on TW (behind the safety of you computer etc blah waffle).

You will ACTUALLY be seeking out Demba Ba and telling him to his face "You only moved to West Ham then to Newcastle then Chelsea, for more money - youÂ’re a mercenary."

No?

Thought not.

By the way, all that that two-bob psychobabble (bullied at school – dear me, yaaawn!) heard it all before, usually from people who have posted nonsense and don’t like having it pointed out.

Mark Tanton
76 Posted 18/07/2014 at 22:14:36
The arguments and sniping are all part of the Everton summer. Just wait until the day before Leicester away and our signings on SSN are still listed as "Barry - unattached", and not a jot more.
Ray Roche
77 Posted 18/07/2014 at 22:18:19
Mark, thatÂ’s the worry. Leicester will be up for this game, and so will the crowd. First game back in the Prem, they will play out of their skins. IÂ’d sooner play Chelsea away, personally. And if Billy Gobshite STILL hasnÂ’t provided Martinez with the funds... well, itÂ’s a wonder we bother at all. The sooner that clown buggers off, the better.
Mark Frere
79 Posted 18/07/2014 at 22:21:26
No need to worry, Ray, we will spend at least £30 million in this transfer window according to Jim Knightley (60). I only wish I felt the same optimism!
Kunal Desai
80 Posted 18/07/2014 at 22:28:02
How do you know I wouldnÂ’t challenge Ba as being mercenary if I met him face to face??

There is a difference between having it pointed out/explained and using a tone. YouÂ’re clearly ignorant! Lay off the pills.

Kevin Tully
81 Posted 18/07/2014 at 22:35:23
Oh my - is this what we are being reduced to? Bickering, snarling and general nastiness?

Apparently, there are 101 words that end in an Â’itisÂ’

Link

What Â’itisÂ’ would describes the affliction that Evertonians suffer from during any given transfer window? Moyesitis was awful, your hair turned red and you attacked random strangers outside a wine bar every time you had the bullet. There are plenty more of us out there, suffering, hurting and our relationships are straining.

Peace and love blues, peace and love. Ringo was right after all.

Iain Johnston
82 Posted 18/07/2014 at 22:46:39
Ba turned down £50k a week plus a £500k signing on fee to sign for Newcastle for a basic £20k plus £20k if he stayed fit...

Now with his scoring ratio at the Barcodes, paying £7-10M for him and paying him £80k a week does not seem unreasonable.

His move to Turkey is for the same weekly wage as he received at Chelsea...

As far as I see it, if OFM didnÂ’t fancy taking the gamble on him, then subsequently earn the profit that Newcastle did, well...?

Shane Corcoran
83 Posted 18/07/2014 at 22:58:51
Kevin #82, how do you make a link come up as "Link".

As for Eugene and Kunsal, I agree with both of you (well I donÂ’t agree with KunsalÂ’s point but I donÂ’t see the problem with him stating it). IÂ’m not sure why itÂ’s gotten so aggressive but I reckon that one of you is definitely Osman.

Michael Kenrick
84 Posted 18/07/2014 at 23:17:34
Shane,

If I understand your question, try this:

Select the bit that you want to be a Link, and then hit the green URL button below the Your Comment box.

Shane Corcoran
85 Posted 18/07/2014 at 23:25:30
Thanks Michael and thanks for not telling me with any tone.

To lighten the mood I posted this earlier on a different thread but people probably weren't arsed copying. Check out number 4 Very funny.

Link


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