Martinez rejects talk of a move for Manchester United defender

Not suggesting that there wasn't some spark of fire in all this smoke.. just wondering out loud....

Roberto has his eye on someone better!!!

Surely there wouldn’t be so much speculation regarding Evans if there was "nothing in it"?

It doesn’t say much for our local paper again then, the Echo, if they just jump on rumours emanating from various other tabloids and websites.

The Echo clearly states "Everton are closing in on Johnny Evans".

I personally think our Bobby is just scared of upsetting Blue Billy and his tight wad board, dare not we threaten to spend any money eh?

Even friggin Middlesbrough have spent more than us!

Fellaini was unplayable that night if you are referring to the 1-0 opening day match three years ago.

Certainly even Jagielka or Stones who were themselves "made a mess of " by Christian Benteke at Villa Park in May, would not have got near Fellaini either that night.

5m tops, with add-ons. We could probably get him for that if there were no other takers.

Definitely better options out there considering we already have our first choice CB pairing.

Surely Barry, Besic or even Hibbo could be drafted into the CB position in an emergency?

He could fit right in I reckon and if it allows the bulk of the transfer kitty (if there is any) to be spent on the attacking options we need, then for me, it’s a no brainer. I still think this ones a goer.

I wouldn't put much stock in Roberto's words as he's unlikely to make any comment till the deal is done. I actually think if we got Evans on the cheap, let's say 4m with a few performance related add ons it could prove something of a master stroke. I think he would surprise many on here.

Time will tell.

Southampton have shown faith in their own kids, and kept them in the side, and given them games. It is no good putting a lad in once and then leaving him out for a year. They need to get acclimatised and be allowed to build confidence.

Forget Johnny Evans, if we can’t afford a top quality player, then play our kids.

I’m all for hoping young lads make it big at Everton but if they are not yet ready then it’s unfair to throw in a couple of lads who have barely played a league match at centre half, it’s throwing them into a cauldron, the Premier League is unforgiving.

We have two promising youngsters but I would like us to buy a QUALITY CB who could dislodge Jags or Stones. I don’t want us just to sign a backup. Jags is 33 and Stones is 21 and makes mistakes -- we should be looking to bring in a CB who is better than both of them. Jags doesn't have many seasons left as it is and Stones will get better but is far from the finished player.

He has squashed rumours that freely take up space in the Daily Kops. The Liverpool Echo have an Everton Rumours column, as they have the same for the other lot. They collect the rumours that are floating around.

Whether the lad is any good or not is open to debate. But the Rumoured price tag of £8 million is a massive amount of money for this club.

Martinez has already said there will be no more major signings, so it looks like he’ll try and get a couple of players in on loan.

If we have got any money, which is debatable, having read the posts by a couple of Blues who are accountants.

If he’s a good player, then there’ll be other clubs in for him who can match the transfer fee, and his wages.

Robbie was saying that he’d like a "number 10" but that he’d likely have to go on the continent for him. If we have any funds then I’d like to see us get a player who can fill the role of a midfield general/schemer.

It is a bit of a pickle though and will be interesting to see what RM does with the lack of cover at CB.

Agreed though that 7-8 million is steep for a defender with only one year of contract. We can try to hold out, and if Man Utd doesn’t budge, we can wait till his contract runs down.

I would take him though, as while I want Galloway & Browning to come good, we still need competition for places.

Roberto probably sees Jags Stones as first choice starters which would mean signing an experienced solid type of player as cover.

The better quality players would probably not sign to it on the bench. My initial reaction to the thought of signing Evans was "Oh no", however if we do only want someone as cover maybe someone of his level/ability is the best we can hope for.

Or do we sign an experienced quality player and maybe give Stones less playing time?

My view is leave Stones in and sign someone like Evans.

The other option is sign no one & use Galloway and Browning as cover. While both have looked promising in the few outings they have had they are both very inexperienced.

I guess it's a call Roberto will have to make.

Sergi Roberto and Sergi Samper would be excellent deals. Munir as well there are some cracking young players in their B team that are never going to get a chance.

Galloway and Browning seem to be good prospects but neither of them look physically big enough to me yet to be starting as a centre back against a premier league striker.

So we definitely need cover but if we get a quality player whose position is he going to take?

I am no tactical genius but I wonder if three at the back is the answer with Stones in the middle? The purchase of Evans would then make sense to me.

Then if one of the three gets injured we could return to two at the back. In the meantime get some weight on Galloway and Browning and introduce them gradually.

Ajay @7 - I remember more than 1 game where Alcaraz was found seriously wanting, not least the thrashing we received at Anfield that was largely his fault and bothered him not the least.

We aren't a charity case, he can find another 'project' elsewhere I am sure.

Regarding Stones; if Delph can say no thankyou to City then I am hopeful a sensible lad like John can see that his immediate future lies with Everton.

Oddly the thing I keep reading about in transfer dealings is a fax machine...

Stones will probably go, as he will be told by Maureen that come this time next year Terry would be gone/retired and he will be the first choice for them.

Unfortunately every player has his price and Chavski can afford to offer that price, especially with how cheap our board are.

He played well against Everton in Asia so not sure what more is needed for RM. He can provide cover for three spots including backup to Coleman since Hibbert looks a little slow (shame as he has been a good player for Everton). Over here there are rumours and whispers of Cameron being unsettled at Stoke due to not playing him where he would like but he as a true professional hasn't said anything about it to the press. Can't believe he would cost more than 5-6 million and he woud push both Stones and Jags.

Are we all blind then or know nothing about football.

This is one player we have all seen quite a bit of and not a "YouTube" phenomenon.

I would put this guy in the same category as Alcaraz...... a total liability.

I am with Denis Richards. If we are going to sign another CB, let's go for quality rather than just fill the squad with "never made it" or "on their last legs" type players.

We will get another couple of years out of Jags by which time Stones will be much more mature and Galloway and Browning should be ready.

As far as his ability, there seems to be a fairly equal split on a) he's good and b) he's crap.

Jags and Stones look a fine partnership and we've got the youngsters coming through.

As far as Alcaraz being brought in, I think his time is past and, more importantly, so does Martinez.

I just think that £8 million is too much out of our kitty (if we have one!) If we're going to get anyone I hope it's a midfield maestro.

Everything points to Van Dijk for me.

BK... Now my little Catalan Chum, my new bessie mate in football, watch & learn this was one of my finest... The cheque will be in the bank in the morning. See how believable I sounded, how credibility oozed from every pore.

RM... Si Boss, most impressive and phenomenally delivered I can see why every one was taken in yes.

BK... That’s the spirit, now what do we say to fans & media whilst we’re trying to sign another Man Utd cast off?

RM... er No it’s nothing, nothing in that.

BK.... Fantastic, I see a long career for you at Everton... Now give me that top four once again, it brings tears to my eyes.

RM... Si Boss, whatever you say.

I wouldn't mind getting Evans for £4-6 mill. Anything more than that is too much.