Osman optimistic on new signings

, 25 July, 22comments  |  Jump to most recent
With Muhamed Besic set to be confirmed as Roberto Martinez's second signing of the summer, Leon Osman is hoping that Everton will be able to field some more new faces for his testimonial against FC Porto a week on Sunday.

The 32 year-old will celebrate over a decade of service to the Blues when the Portuguese champions visit Goodison Park and he is optimistic that a couple more names will be added to the squad by the time the match rolls around.

“Besic should be completed in the next few days and we're aware of the rumours about a couple more coming in," Osman said. "It would be good if any new arrivals could play in my testimonial.”

"We try not to be distracted by speculation. But sometimes you can't help but hear the rumours about who the manager wants to bring in to the club."

Muhamed Besic travelled with the squad to Thailand

One of the most hotly-rumoured targets remains Romelu Lukaku whose future remains as open as it was when he left for the World Cup in Brazil last month. Since then, Chelsea have sold Demba Ba to Besiktas and released Samuel Eto'o but drafted in Diego Costa and fan favourite Didier Drogba which again leaves Lukaku facing plenty of competition for places at Stamford Bridge.

Roberto Martinez is eager to bring the Belgian striker to Goodison on a permanent basis and Osman added his voice to those who would welcome his return.

“It would be good to have Romelu back," the veteran midfielder continued. "We know the quality he's got. There might be a bit more to do to get him back here but it would be great if he could come back in time to play in the game."

Lukaku has been training at his first club, Anderlecht, since returning from holiday and is due to link back up with the Chelsea squad in Austria on 30th July.

Though he has been earmarked for Everton's Under-21s, young Belgian ace, David Henen, is another potential new name who could be in the squad against Porto. The 18 year-old has reportedly remained on Merseyside while the Blues are in Thailand and is expected to complete his £1.5m transfer from Anderlecht when the squad returns to England early next week.

Tickets for Osman's testimonial on 3rd August are available to purchase at evertonfc.com, at Park End Box Office or in the City centre at Everton Two, Liverpool One or the TicketQuarter.

Adult prices are £20 (in advance) or £25 (on matchday). For over 65s and under 16s ticket prices are £10.

 

Reader Comments (22)

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Mike Manchester
1 Posted 25/07/2014 at 20:27:09
Sounds positive...
Dan McKie
2 Posted 25/07/2014 at 21:57:34
Drumming up sales for his testimonial. Lot of work to be done before we can say we have a squad ready to fight on four fronts. Let's hope the manager gets adequate backing.
Bob Parrington
4 Posted 26/07/2014 at 00:08:39
Saying second signing, are you classing Gareth Barry as the first of the "4 new" players RM was supposedly intending to bring in?
Harold Matthews
5 Posted 26/07/2014 at 01:04:00
Yes Bob. I suppose it is a bit of a conundrum. A signing is a signing so Barry has to be the first. Besic and academy kids Henen and Galloway are soon to follow. They will all sign so that will make 4 with the possibility of 3 loans and the purchase of Lukaku to follow = 8.

On the other hand, this is Everton and we sometimes experience the odd blip. Often in the form of agents or other creepy characters seeking a piece of the action.

Ant Dwyer
6 Posted 26/07/2014 at 01:52:56
Surely Barry has to be counted as a new signing... come on!!
James Potter
7 Posted 26/07/2014 at 08:18:42
Porto are not even the Portuguese Champions, Benfica are!
Anthony Hughes
8 Posted 26/07/2014 at 08:46:30
Everybody keeps talking of Lukaku coming but have we put a bid in for him or not? If we want the player that badly then surely we should have made Chelsea an offer.
Mark Tanton
9 Posted 26/07/2014 at 08:54:41
I think it's one of those "ongoing discussions" things. Softly softly catchy Luky?
Drew Shortis
10 Posted 26/07/2014 at 09:37:02
I think it's clear that the negotiations for Lukaku must be at an advanced stage for Martinez and Osman to be openly talking about him in a press conference. Everton are usually pretty tight-lipped over transfers, the first statement usually coming on the official site when the deal is completed. That's not to say the deal is done, but it must be pretty likely to go ahead.

Unlike previous seasons, I'm feeling pretty calm about this window. I believe it when Martinez says he has identified his targets and I'm confident that intensive negotiations are going on behind the scenes. We just have more class than to broadcast our activities to the press on a daily basis.

The World Cup has had an impact too. Lots of potential signings are still away on extended holidays. I guess Lukaku is training with Anderlecht whilst on extended holiday back with his family. Patience!

Denis Richardson
11 Posted 26/07/2014 at 11:52:50
Nothing against Ossie but I find it a bit odd that in this day and age we still have testimonials for Premier League players. I believe in the past these were done so as to give the player a retirement fund as your playing days tend to come to an end early in your life.

Today, players earn more in one week than most people earn in a year. The average salary for a Premier League player today is around £1.5M a year. After 10-odd years in the Premier League, I'm pretty sure that the money raised from the testimonial will be small change to Leon.

Again, am not bitter or anything and have nothing against Ossie — he should be given a pat on the back for his loyalty (although the club has also made him a very rich man); I just feel that any money raised from these sort of games should be put to a better cause — like grass roots football in the local community or a local charity. Ossie certainly doesn't need another £200-300k or whatever the final amount raised will be.

Harold Matthews
12 Posted 26/07/2014 at 12:39:10
Denis. I'm pretty sure the proceeds go to a charity of Ossie's choice.
Brent Stephens
13 Posted 26/07/2014 at 13:12:51
Ossie has named two charities that will benefit.
Denis Richardson
14 Posted 26/07/2014 at 13:26:25
Brent / Harold - thanks for the updates, makes me feel better about it. Was a long time ago but I remember there being a bit of a fuss when Giggs had his testimonial and made about £1M – there was a fuss kicked up not because he got the cash but because there was some tax loophole that meant he hardly paid any tax on it!

Nice to see our lads putting the money (which at the end of the day is direct from the fans) into something good.

Paul Dark
15 Posted 26/07/2014 at 14:16:43
Let's hope Osman doesn't start (or come on in) a single game this season.
Jimmy Hill
16 Posted 26/07/2014 at 23:22:35
Paul Dark,
This man has been a great servant of Everton.your comments are unjustified and not appreciated.
James Marshall
17 Posted 26/07/2014 at 23:23:22
I don't think there's been a top pro who's had a testimonial for years that hasn't given all the proceeds to charity - the days of players needing the money themselves are long gone.

Perhaps lower league players might keep the money, but those at the top have been giving the cash away for a very long time.

In other news, has anyone else seen the video online of Martinez telling blues in Thailand that we're going to sign Lukaku?

Here's a link to it: Link0677.html">Link

Raymond Fox
18 Posted 26/07/2014 at 23:25:24
Paul, a somewhat silly statement to make, considering that Ossie featured in every league game last season.

We didn't do so bad did we with him in the team, and your wish has absolutely no chance of happening.

Derek Williams
19 Posted 26/07/2014 at 23:46:58
Paul Dark (15), or is that Darkside, you are a very silly man. In my humble opinion obviously.
Rob Sachro
20 Posted 26/07/2014 at 23:50:05
Paul (15), Osman might not be the best midfielder in the world but he's always given his all and never let the club down. Nobody can say he never gave 100%, which is all you can ask for. For me, at least, he deserves some recognition for his years of service.
Peter Jones
21 Posted 27/07/2014 at 00:03:32
I hope Osman plays as often as he can ( & Pienaar). Both can teach Ross Berkley loads and Everton play better football with them in. Martinez has a huge job to replace them and there doesn't seem to be anybody currently at the club who can steep into their boots.
Ant Dwyer
22 Posted 27/07/2014 at 01:18:07
IÂ’m with Dennis and Jimmy here, Mr Dark ...... Silly statement and the worst timing ever!!

ps: May I add that although I feel Ossie may not be able to play every game, he does offer us a clever pro who is able to pick a decent pass and also keep the ball for us. ItÂ’s a squad game these days and Ossie is a solid squad player.

Graham Mockford
23 Posted 27/07/2014 at 10:44:25
Paul Dark has been at it for years. To be fair he has always been consistent in his view on Ossie, just consistently wrong.

I’d be surprised if Leon gets as much PL game time this year. This is likely to be his final season at the highest level but given Europe, Paul is going to get plenty of opportunity to vent his customary spleen.


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