Ian Mills delivers a round up covering most of the weekend speculation from newspapers, websites, and even the ToffeeWeb Forum!

 8 July 2001

There are growing rumours that both David Unsworth and Michael Ball are about to pen to paper on new contracts which will extend their stays at Goodison.  Rhino was approaching the last year of his contract but Bally has two full years left on his.  Bally has apparently told friends he will be an Everton player next year whilst Unsworth has spoken to the Everton website; here's what he said.

"Money was never an issue," he said.  "I just wanted certain assurances about my role in the squad.  I was pleased with what the manager had to say and it's up to my agent and Everton to sort out the rest."

Unsy, who has recently been linked with a return to Villa Park as a replacement for Gareth Southgate, added: "Everyone knows I want to play for Everton and hopefully a new deal can be put in place very quickly."

Meanwhile, Tomasz Radzinksi is going nowhere.  That's according to Anderlecht...  Their general manager Michael Verschueren said: "We will not let Radzinski join Everton.

"Even if they come back to us tomorrow with a fresh bid, they will be told that there is no question of Radzinski leaving Anderlecht.  He is still under contract with us for two more years."

His father and he are still hoping the deal with go through but the realism of it all is that Everton will have to look else where for a striker.  Billy Dodds was again linked with Everton over the weekend.

Roy Carroll is again being rumoured to be the man to push Paul Gerrard next season, with Thomas Myhre being linked to Bolton and Tranmere, and Steve Simonsen being offered as bait...  Expect the Blues to pay about £1M for the Northern Ireland international if an offer is made.

Grimsby new boy Phil Jevons has revealed that he was never too passionate about an Everton after being a "huge" Liverpool fan!

Some ToffeeWeb forum users have gotten wind that ex-Liverpool, Inter Milan and Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince is on the way to Goodison.  Ince, now 34, is supposed to be "wanting to move to Goodison".

Everton are supposedly trailing Levski Sofia duo Georgi Ivanov and Georgi Markov, with former Bulgarian international Nasko Sirakov involved in the transfer discussions.  Impressive striker Ivanov, nicknamed "Gonzo", is also wanted by Fulham but Premiership rivals Bolton and Everton have stepped up their interest in the 24-year-old and his team-mate.  Markov, a defender, is also on his way to England and, like Ivanov, was left out of the first three warm-up matches for Levski during the close season.

David Weir recently went under the knife for a small operation – he had his nostril unblocked!!! He got the injury after a clash with an opponent towards the end of the season.  The injury should heal in within 2 or 3 days and Weir will be fully fit for this Thursday when the Blues report back for pre-season training.

Pre- season friendly ticket details are to be announced this week, but there is a movement afoot to boycott the Chester game as a demonstration of solidarity with their long-suffering fans, who don't want the game to go ahead.

Daniel Prodan apparently rejected the move to Goodison when he was asked to come on trial for a possible contract instead of a contract straight away.

Peter Reid has denied moving for Abel Xavier.  Reid said: "Xavier is a good player and experienced international but I've made no contact with Everton about him."

Ian Mills

ToffeeWeb Columnist