Kenwright pledges funds for Martinez

, 6 June, 106comments  |  Jump to most recent
Chairman acknowledges Fellaini could leave

In addition to restating his commitment to finding new investment for Everton, Bill Kenwright has promised that Roberto Martinez will get 100% of the proceeds from any player sales this summer.

Though he is keen to see the current squad stay intact and would resist any attempts from rival clubs to poach the Blues' best players, the Chairman acknowledged that Marouane Fellaini's release clause would make it difficult to keep him should the Belgian be tempted by an offer from a Champions League team.

"[Martinez] talked about a couple of new signings and he talked about the squad," Kenwright is quoted as saying, "and [he] asked 'Do they need to go?'"

"I said, 'No, they absolutely do not have to go,' [although] there is one [Fellaini] that has a get-out which everyone knows."

Kenwright was referring to a clause in the Fellaini's contract that would be activated by a bid in excess of £24m from a Champions League club. The midfielder has made no secret of his desire to play in Europe's elite competition and had pledged to stay at Goodison if the Blues had finished in the top four this season, but there is a growing belief that if there is to be a big-name player leaving this summer, it will be Fellaini.

Given Everton's debts of around £45m, the assumption among Evertonians has been that the manager would only receive a portion of any players sales but the Chairman promised that should Fellaini move on, Martinez would get all of the proceeds to spend on new players.

"'We are desperate to find new owners and new investment," Kenwright continued, "but he will get support from everyone at the club and all the financial support — and by that I mean if he sells someone he won't get 80 per cent of that he'll get 100 per cent.

"Plus, he has a certain amount of money for the transfer window which David [Moyes] was going to have."

That fund, enabled largely by the new television rights deals, is believed to be around £10m which, when added to any sale of Fellaini, would represent a substantial transfer kitty in excess of £30m for the new boss.

Meanwhile, Kenwright insists the search goes on for a buyer for Everton that can help the club compete more readily with the club's better-endowed top-six rivals.

"There will be a lot of Evertonians out there asking, 'Hold on a minute, where's the billionaire?'' he added.

"We're still desperately looking for the billions but while you are doing that you have to try to keep going what we have established here."

 

Reader Comments (106)

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Brent Stephens
1 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:08:08
So does that mean no new money? Sell to buy?
Tony J Williams
2 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:09:27
So nothing unless we sell? Pathetic isn't it?
Paul Andrews
3 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:10:18
This lad could do a lot of damage with £24 mil
Look at some of the players he has signed for relatively small fees.
Wayne McNee
4 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:10:39
Cheeky twat! 100% of sold players money? And the rest! The magic money from January for example? Some of the TV money? What's going on? Kenwrights Cronies! Lets be 'aving you! Most football investors expect to nurture an investment, apparently not ours. Jesus!
Jay Doyle
5 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:12:17
I understood that the money from any player sales is in addition to the money Moyes would have had to spend this summer? Or am I wrong?
Daniel Lawrence
6 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:12:52
Everton: The Club Time Forgot.


Stuart Mitchell
7 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:13:31
Tony, Kenwright has already stated that there was funds in place for Moyes to use in this window. So the money from Fellaini will be on top of that.

Could see us with 35m to spend if Fellaini does go.

Mark Frere
8 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:13:37
Just out of interest, does anyone know if RM will be bringing the same scouting team he had at Wigan? hope so, with RM and his scouts they should be able to find some real gems with £24 million.
Paul Dark
9 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:16:05
Really hope Fellaini stays. We need him.

I hope RM realizes very soon that Osman is surplus to requirements.

Peter Leslie
10 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:11:48
Read the link. BK is quoted as saying: "If he sells someone he won't get 80 per cent of that he'll get 100 per cent. Plus he has a certain amount of money for the transfer window which David was going to have.'

Even if that's two pound fifty, its not as bad as it could've been: most were predicting Baines and/or Fellaini going, and the new manager getting a fraction of it.

Best case:
there's "the Fer money" or enough for a couple of loans, frees or bargains and everyone stays.

Worst case: players leave and the manager gets all the money to re-invest.

Assuming its true (it's the Mail, and it's BK) then fair enough I'd say – at least by our recent standards.

John Crawley
11 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:21:15
Mark as far as I heard he's bringing his chief scout with him Kevin Reeves. There was an interesting programme on TalkSport yesterday evening with Michael Clavin, the Independent on Sunday Journalist. He has just spent the last 18 months researching and writing a book on football scouting (due out in August).

Anyway he had a lot of interesting things to say and he mentioned that he had spent quite a bit of time studying Everton's scouting system which he said was excellent. Apparently a lot of it is based on a fairly sophisticated statistical analysis which identifies players. The aim of the system was that it would be in place whoever was the manager and that knowledge of players wouldn't disappear if the scouting staff up and left.

Sam Hoare
12 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:25:53
Doesn't look at the moment like anyone wants Fellaini which means Martinez's transfer funds will probably be theatre vouchers and a sticky bun. Should be enough to get joey Barton...
Stewart Lowe
13 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:20:32
Some of people making these comments above are either poorly educated or just plain stupid. Kenwright at no point said that he wasn't going to give Martinez any money. If you open your eyes and read his article again, you will find that he is making it clear that Fellaini is not for sale. But then he says that Fellaini does have a buy out clause, so if Martinez does choose to cash in on him, Kenwright states he will give Martinez, not 80% of Fellaini's transfer fee, but all of it (100%) to spend on new players.

Kenwright also said that Martinez also has the transfer money that was set aside for Moyes before he left, which is believed to be a further £12-15M. Don't forget that Moyes, Neville, Mucha, Fellaini and Heitinga were on the biggest wages and with them gone, this would save the club many millions of pounds.

I estimate that Martinez will have £40-£45M after the sale of Fellaini and Heitinga. So how Mr stupid and Mr thick came to the conclusion Martinez wouldn't be getting any money to spend is anybody's guess, but then you can be as thick as cow dung and still father a child these days so anything is possible.

Peter Jones
15 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:14:37
Paul I def agree RM could do some serious damage with 24 mil and the sale of Heitinga. Roughly 27-28 mil? I think people are grossly overestimating the valuation of the Wigan players he may poach. RM bought McCarthy for 1.2 mil initially. He's just been relegated and would have all the leverage if he made it clear he wouldn't want to play in the Championship next season. He's clearly improved under RM but I can't imagine he'd go for more than 4-5 mil realistically. They'd be making a substantial profit. Considering that Moses went for 9 mil and is a vastly superior player at the same age, I just don't think we'll have to fork up more than 7 or 8 million between McCarthy and McManaman. So, that would leave roughly 20 million to spend on a midfield replacement for Fellaini and a striker to drive competition with Jelavic. Wanyama, Fer, Capoue, and Diame would all be available for around 10 mil or less. I'd favor Wanyama the most, but wouldn't have a problem with any of those players. Liverpool found Iago Aspas and Coutinho for around 8 million, and I think they are very talented prospects. For our remaining 10 million, I think there could be some very interesting strikers available. Jozy Altidore has been banging them in for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch League. Could be an interesting possibility. There are so many talented footballers around the world playing for clubs that have much more dire financial circumstances and I'm really interested in seeing if RM continues to take advantage of this on a higher scale with Everton. Exciting times!
Mark Stone
16 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:33:41
Paul Dark - to the contrary Osman is a very tidy player and might just shine in a team playing the type of football Martinez is renowned for. I think he could be a very important player for us over the next season.
Garry Corgan
17 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:46:06
It could be nothing, and I could be reading too much into it, but this is the third time that Kenwright has mentioned Fellaini's release clause to the press.

It almost feels like he's putting him in the shop window.

Mark Frere
18 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:42:44
Peter Jones

Don't be deluded to think Wigan are going to let their prize assets go on the cheap, this is whelan we're talking about after all. Moses hardly had any time left on his crontract, think he only had 6 months left on it, I was amazed Chelsea came up with 9 million.

Like you've said though, there's some real talent across the world and we shouldn't just be looking at Wigan players that are over priced

Sam Hoare
19 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:50:25
Stewart Lowe, if you really think BK is going to give Martinez £25M on top of 100% of Fellaini sale (if it happens) then i'm afraid you're own taunts of stupidity should be flung into the mirror. Take a look at our finances and BK's history of 'promised funds'.
Peter Jones
20 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:53:29
I agree that we shouldn't be overpaying for Wigan players Mark. I do think that for those fees, they are worth a punt though. Honestly, the winger we need to get is Scott Sinclair and not McManaman. City are reportedly okay to offload him for around £5M from what I've read and he's only on £40k/week. Totally affordable. Much better than McManaman. Still 24. What you think about him?
Eugene Ruane
21 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:38:49
Fellaini gets sold for £24m

Martinez: "Fantastico, now I 'ave...ow you say..plenty ackers to spend on mucho bueno players"

BK: "Er...yeah ha ha..absolutely....I mean obviously we'll have to weigh the bank in with a few quid...and Goodison needs a lick of paint, that won't come cheap...and then there's the compo for your old boss..but I'm sure it'll all work out (Kenwright then puts arm around the handsome young Spaniard)..By the way, did I ever tell you about when I met Elvis? Great guy!! (weeps for 15 minutes). He had three testicles you know - absolutely true! He called them the three amigos - HONEST! By the way, you know the Empire State Building? My granddad's mate used to own it, he won it in a game of five card br...."

Martinez' smile slowly vanishes and is replaced by a look of pure, naked fear.

Tony Cheek
22 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:50:47
Keep Curly, he is a huge part of our set up. It would be a huge step backwards to lose him now. Sell Heitinga, Hibbert, Naismith, Howard, et al but keep Curly!

Wayne McNee
23 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:56:17
Stuart #588.. Have you only just became aware of Mr Bill Kenwright? Let me explain.... Actually I don't have time?!
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
25 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:50:55
Now, now, Stewart, lad (#588)... We're not supposed to condone calling our fans 'stupid' on here...

I believe the problem is that Bill has 'previous' when it comes to telling porkies, and there have been some rum transfer fiascoes in the past, with the obvious problem that no-one really knows how much money is available... and everyone looks at it as if all transfers are paid lump sum, and staged payments over the length of a contract simply don't exist (they do!).

But let's all try to be a bit more 'real' about what we say on here please. If your cynicism is a product of your disbelief, rather than simply a case of being unable to read or comprehend, please make that clear in your responses.

Sam Hoare
26 Posted 06/06/2013 at 19:54:45
Peter Jones, I'd be absolutely astonished if McCarthy and McManaman were available for £6-8m for the pair. McCarthy had some of the highest passing and tackling rates of any Prem midfielder last season and I expect will quite possibly fetch more than £8m by himself. Look at the £20m that RS payed for Henderson for example of the premium put on these sorts of players. Relegated players are not necessarily much cheaper, just look at Fletcher and Jarvis from Wolves last year.
Mark Frere
28 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:00:04
Peter Jones
I would be very happy with Sinclair if he's only on £40k a week, I didn't know that, find it hard to believe though because Rodwell is on over £100 grand a week, I honestly don't know though, i'll have to take your word for it.

Think Diami and Fer would be very good signings like you say. Diami has a £3.5 million buy out clause and Fer would cost us round about £8 million, very good buisness if you ask me, both in their mid-20s with their best years in front of them.

Colin Glassar
29 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:04:11
£10-12m from the new telly money? You must be joking right? Aren't we supposed to be making over £100m alone on the new Sky contract? Plus the gate money and the pittance we make from our commercial activities. This is serious money, like £150m plus and all Kenwright was/is going to cough up is a miserly £10-15m for transfers? If this is right, then that is fucking scandalous. I thought Moyes/Martinez would be getting at least £30m to spend. Where's the rest going then?
Lev Vellene
30 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:01:18
(Michael #608): I was born a cynic! I guess that's why I've been an EFC-supporter for about 35 years now! Or was that because I lost focus and really am a masochist??? :P

I think the 'truth' for all us long-suffering fans is that we trust no "intentions" But! I'm willing to give BK the benefit of doubt (we're still in the PL!).

So I'm getting behind RM, and I actually welcome this new approach with that new-fangled 'attacking' and 'positivism' approach! I guess I'll deserve to be burned at the stake in a year or so... :P

Timothy Blanshard
31 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:22:24
Do us all a favour Bill, save yourself a few bob and keep our current badge that is bolted to the side of Goodison, I'm coming home in a few weeks with my new girlfriend and I want to take her to show her Goodison Park but if that ugly blob of a new badge is on the ground I may have to give it the swerve.

Please leave the giant nice badge on our ground.

Tom Owen
33 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:24:08
Stewart (588) — why do you back a liar and "Walter Mitty" character like Kenwright? In his years at the helm we have had so many "nearly" moments. If he was running a plc the shareholders would have got rid of him along time ago.

The looking for a billionaire story and "my blood runs blue" is tiresome. His Champions League comment yesterday was crass and inappropriate.

Steve Pugh
34 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:29:43
What hasn't been picked up on here is that certain sections of the media are talking about Fellaini's £10m buy out clause.

Reason to be concerned?

Richard Dodd
35 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:32:05
I know it won`t be a popular question but if ALL the proceeds of a major sale are committed to new signings what strategy is in place to pay down the debt?

As long as each year ends in a ~£6M loss, the less likely a sale becomes. BK knows that. Makes you think, doesn`t it?

Patrick Murphy
36 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:25:32
The problem with relying on the Felliani money is time, if anybody wants him and it only sounds like Chelesa were interested before Jose took over, they will wait until the last day of the window and we'll then be scrambling around trying to find a replacement. Somehow RM will have to purchase players on the cheap with only circa £10m which sounds a lot compared to what we have been used to spending but it isn't when you think Man City have just spent £34m on a single player and Andy Carroll who hasn't exactly set the world alight is reportedly asking for £100,000 a week in wages from West Ham.

So freebies and persuading rival clubs to loan us players is the order of the day until we sell Felli or a new buyer appears on the horizon. Kenwright is playing his usual 'every penny that we can give the manager/ card and it works every time. If I was Martinez I'd keep my powder dry and try to wok with the people already at the club before splashing any cash, because should it go pear shaped and he needs reinforcements in January there will be no funds available and he will pay the price for BK's Grimm Tales.


Brent Stephens
37 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:44:30
Richard, we'll pay down the debt from the extra ackers we'll earn when we get into Europe (though as RM is now saying, that's for another year - not next season).
Lyndon Lloyd
38 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:40:32
Colin (620): Aren't we supposed to be making over £100m alone on the new sky contract?

The new deal will bring us between £20m and £25m more per season (I'm not clear on the exact figure as I'm basing it off numbers I saw before the overseas deal was concluded) and we won't get the first tranche until August.

Don't forget that a large chunk is already accounted for by the rolling debt the club is carrying from one season to the next so the £12m kitty I've seen bandied about (less ~£1.5m to £2m for Martinez's compensation) sounds about right.

if Kenwright is true to his word, what the new TV deals mean is that Martinez would get ALL of the money from player sales which, Bilyaletdinov aside, has not been the case at EFC for a while now. That in itself is good news.

Mark Frere
39 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:44:17
New SKY deal will go a long way to paying off club debt Richard.

Leave us to live the dream, if only until September 1st.

Ste Traverse
41 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:49:59
So BK says there's money for players.

Surely there can be no-one left who even believes a word he says??

I thought us Scousers were no-nonsense types who could sniff out a blagger a mile off?

BK is the biggest blagger of all!

Patrick Murphy
42 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:52:17
Steve #644 the figures I have seen in the media range from £22m - £25m but there are some payments to be made to Liege but I don't think that would bring the figure down to £10m. But if you have any links it might prove interesting.
Steven Telford
43 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:53:46
If non of that new TV money finds it's way to pitch, it will be a big disgrace on BK.

Plus, what we saving from pulling out of our transfer deals in the last window.

Ian Bennett
44 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:01:16
We'd be lucky to get £20m net after paying sell on fees, duty, agent fees and Fellaini's cut I'd think.
Michael Kenrick
45 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:58:42
I think we should let go of this perception that there is any intention of paying down the debt. As long as the debt is manageable, and surely next season of all seasons, with this massive jump in income, then it would be crazy to pay it down at the direct expense of your transfer budget.

And I'm not sure I believe making a small loss each year is any impediment to the club being sold. I believe it's more of a strategy of avoiding paying tax on any profit.

Mark Frere
46 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:01:50
Come on Steven! How much do you think young John Stones will be getting in wages, must be crippling our club
Paul Ellam
47 Posted 06/06/2013 at 20:41:09
No Steve #644 because the get out clause is £22-24m
Ian Bennett
48 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:11:30
According to the accounts we have not recognised a deferred tax of £15m. Which means, from a club perspective, we would need to make a profit of £75m before we'd have to pay any corporation tax over. Take a look at the accounts, fat chance.

The only way that this is a tax advantage is if someone is happy to loan us the money through an offshore entity, so they don't have to pay UK tax on the interest. Hmmm.

Gavin Ramejkis
49 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:30:40
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

What next Bill? Not that one about x number of interested parties again, seriously you phoney get give it a rest

Kieran Kinsella
50 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:36:33
For once Bill was actually honest about the transfer kitty so I commend him for that. As quoted in various papers he said he would give Martinez "A few quid" to spend. So depending on your definition of a "few" that means 2 or 3 pounds. If we throw in some loaves of bread and a few balls we might get Preki to come back.
Brian Waring
51 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:58:56
If Fellaini is sold, don't Liege get a percentage of the sell on fee?
Mark Dunford
52 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:24:55
Stewart's basic point that there are many needlessly aggressive and ill thought out contributions on ToffeeWeb is true.These often start from a position of outright hostility before heading off to make unsubstantiated allegations. One last week was more or less libellous and took the site to a new low. The author turned self righteous when this was pointed out.

No one knows who will stay or go. It is all speculation though it looks to me as if Everton accept Fellaini may go for a significant fee and see the proceeds as the foundation money needed to invest in the team. No one knows what the net amount from this deal but there will be something - assuming there is a buyer out there. My guess is Heitinga will go as well. Wages will fall with Neville off the books and to a lesser extent Mucha and Hitz.. All three have served the club well in different ways. Many of the people criticising Heitinga probably voted for him as player of the year not too long ago; anyway he is 29 and clearly in the market for a final move to the lucrative world of Turkish football.

In many respects Moyes and Martinez seem to be similar wheeler dealers. Moyes sold Lescott at a high price and then bought three players of whom Distin proved the best purchase. A surprise. The disappointing Bily was sold and Jelly came. He scored then went off the boil. I suspect we may see a similar pattern under Martinez. is this a bad thing? Do people want Venkys or Mark Hughes? it should also be acknowledged that Kenwright has gone about this search for a new manager in a sensible way and this has enhanced Everton's reputation.

No doubt the last comment will provoke the people Stewart complained about.

Jay Harris
53 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:56:21
This is how I read it.

Fellaini is definitely being touted and IMO he was planned to go in January but it didnt go through hence the Fer deal collapsed.

In addition to that we should get 20 to 25 million in extra TV revenue less the 1.5 for Martinez and less 10 million to cover losses.

Get Johnny on his bike to nowhere with Mucha, Neville and Moyes gone should release about 10.5 million a year less about 2.5 million for Martinez' salary should give us a reasonable pot to play with.

However given Bill's previous and his cronies BVI connections don't expect all spare funding to find it's way onto the pitch.

I don't really rate any of the wigan players that highly but if we could get Sinclair, Fer and Negredo (or another prolific striker) I would be delighted.

Btw although our young keeper is highly rated we do need a "Howard" replacement too.

Peter Jones
55 Posted 06/06/2013 at 21:54:06
Sam Hoare- I see where you are coming from with the examples of Fletcher and Jordan Henderson. I think West Ham also paid 12 mil for Matt Jarvis also, which is hilarious. Allardyce is paying 15 mil for CARROLL also with rumors flying around that the deal is contingent on a ludicrous and undeserved 100k/week salary. My only rebuttal to this would be that Martinez like Moyes, is known for shrewd buys. Martin O'neill, Dalglish, and Allardyce seem to be well versed in getting fleeced for mediocre/decent talent. I trust RM to either talk Whelan down to reasonable prices or find an equally or perhaps more impressive player for much less. After all, this is a global market where you can find a Michu for 2, a Mirallas for 6, and a Benteke for 8.

Mark Frere- One of the articles mentioning Sinclair's City wages. Obviously, the validity of this is unknown, but this is just one of the articles I've seen mentioning the same 40k/week figure.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Scott-Sinclair-s-torrid-time-Manchester-City/story-18855718-detail/story.html#axzz2VTO5PS6o

Duncan McDine
56 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:08:49
Now come on Bill.... is Fellaini available for transfer or not? He'd be less obvious if he held a 'Golf Sale' type sign at each interview reading "Screech Sale This Way"
Mark Pierpoint
57 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:18:49
according to the TImes, Arsenal have met the buy out clause. From Twitter
Sid Logan
58 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:11:00
I've just realised how out the loop I am on ToffeeWeb.

Out of the blue a thread finishes and suddenly all the usual contributors are on the new thread and those slow and lacking in awareness are left behind!

Is some sort of subliminal signal given; or is it telepathy; or editorial adjustment.Perhaps there an inner sanctum that you have to apply to enter?

I'm sure the editors will explain!

Patrick Murphy
59 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:14:43
Mark, I've no doubt that BK's heart is in the right place and perhaps in the 50s he may have been seen as a good chairman. Peter Swales, Bob Lord even Whelan at Wigan all had connections with their clubs and many others similar to them in the past survived and prospered right through to the late 80s.

But the modern PL is a totally different kettle of fish and the longer BK remains in charge the closer we will get to paying the ultimate price for his mis-direction, he is a dreamer like most fans are but doesn't have the necessary financial clout to be able to alter the way the club operates. A former corner shop owner may not necessarily be able to run a multi national supermarket chain, even though many of the principles are the same.

This year will see Bil celebrate his 68th birthday and he will have been in charge for nearly 14 years, what progress has the club really made in that time? We just go on from one season to the next without any long-term plan and we all live in hope that a sugar daddy will appear so that the club can truly move forwards.

I don't see Bill being in any rush to retire from his feted position and the kudos that goes with being Chairman of a PL club and therefore even if some individual or group came along he may not relinquish his position easily.

The full extent of Bill's legacy will not be known until a new set of people have taken over but I'm pretty sure the legacy will not be a pretty one.

Drew Shortis
60 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:17:37
Encouraging stuff. This new TV deal seems to be the difference between us having to sell players to pay off debts and us having a small (say the £6.8m Fer money topped up to £10m). It is also worth taking into account the wages saved from the outgoing Moyes, Mucha, Hitzelsperger and Neville. This means that without selling anyone Martinez will have a modest transfer kitty and some wages to offer.

Unless Martinez and Heitinga can come to some agreement our Dutchman could be off for perhaps around £4m and his wages will be off our books. This takes the kitty to around £14m. There are a few free agents knocking about and we could look at a loan or two. If Martinez's scouting network is as good as we hope he could get a few decent young players with £14m.

IF Fellaini's clause is activated by a CL club and he decides to go then the kitty would be closer to the £40m mark. If he gets all of this to spend we could see some very interesting transfer activity! That said, I would prefer to keep our current squad together and add some depth with bargain young buys, loans and freebies.

I wouldn't get drawn into paying over the odds for British players as Liverpool has done. We don't have any home grown quotas to worry about and even if we did we already have a core of academy players. Sinclair sounds like an interesting option. He has pace and could be available at a knock down price.

The good thing is we will not be seen as desperate to sell, so if anyone wants to try and take our stars we can stand our ground and demand exorbitant fees.

Patrick Murphy
61 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:36:49
Looks like my idea that nobody would bid for Felli until late in the transfer window is way off the mark according to this report :

Goal understands that Arsenal made the club-record bid on Wednesday, the same day that Roberto Martinez was appointed the new Everton manager.

It is believed that Fellaini's buy-out clause is £22m for a top-four club, and £24m for a club that finishes outside the Champions League places.

So BK had already done the deal or is that why we had to wait until 4pm for the press conference?

Sam Hoare
62 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:39:37
Fellaini may be off after all! Think he would do well at the gunners.
Lewis Barclay
63 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:56:04
I'm not usually one for cynicism when it comes to Everton or even when it comes to BK but:

I don't believe a thread of this article is true and if it is why are we still looking at a debt of £45mil? Surely with all the new tv money that debt had decreased? Unless our operating costs are ridiculous, for a premier league side this really shouldn't be a huge concern when we're talking of yearly revenues increasing by around £50mil per team. We'd only have to survive, as we are for a single year to be debt free, right?

I think we should sell Fellani, preferably abroad and then hopefully spend around £40mil on at least another 6 players:
1 keeper, 1 central defender, 1 attacking mid, 1 defensive mid and 2 strikers.

Mark Dunford
64 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:58:56
It may be the start of an auction for Fellaini, then again they could all bid the same amount to let him choose. Goal says this is sending shock waves through British football. I don't think so. Man Utd must be a more likely destination.
Jamie Crowley
65 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:10:56
Michael -

Is the debt manageable? That's the question.

And if you run $6M losses concurrently for 4-5 years in a row, the larger sum and the interest inherent makes it compoundingly more difficult for show a profit....

Is "compoundingly" a word?

Richard's question is a very legitimate one. I for one pray we get our finances in order and if that means restraining ourselves a bit I'm all for it. I see nothing wrong, with the current squad we have, paying down our debt with Felliani money and added TV revenue income, leaving say $15M for RM to find some gems while nicking into our debt substantially.

Financially strapped football clubs generally have a one-way direction - down.

Paul Andrews
67 Posted 06/06/2013 at 23:12:28
Lets see if Roberto starts spending straight away,as soon as Fellaini transfer is completed before we start getting excited.
This is Billy Liar we are talking about.
Mark Frere
68 Posted 06/06/2013 at 23:18:54
Kenwright just seems to get all the blame and abuse from evreyone on here, don't get me wrong, I hate the guy but BK has to be the front face of Everton even though he's not the man who's got all the money.

Grantchester and Earl should also be held accountable just as much as BK, because their the ones with the biggest personal fortunes.

By the way, i'm not defending BK in anyway

Patrick Murphy
69 Posted 06/06/2013 at 23:27:24
Mark You'll have Mr Kenwrick spluttering over his cornflakes again. Lord Grantchester is only a small shareholder of the club, he has no part to play in the grand scheme of things. BK is the face of Everton but he is the only one who steers the direction of the club, the others on the board merely make up the numbers they don't appear to have any interest in the business save the number of shares they hold.

Steven Telford
70 Posted 06/06/2013 at 22:33:30
We need to start doing what Spanish and Portuguese clubs do, in terms of loading up any "get out clause" to be an absurdly high level.

The Bosman rule has been the death of mobility in football.

Steven Telford
71 Posted 06/06/2013 at 23:34:53
Kenwright was a shit to mention the CL in the Martinez press conference.

To say on the day the guy walks in the door. What a fucking clown, you don't welcome somebody by heaping premature expectations on their shoulders.

I used to be more passive to Kenwright than most on this website, but in recent weeks...........

Harold Matthews
72 Posted 06/06/2013 at 23:31:26
People who want Sinclair and Fer have not watched them on a regular basis. They are both vastly over-rated. Leave it to Martinez. He'll know who can do a job for him.
Lyndon Lloyd
73 Posted 06/06/2013 at 23:39:15
Michael, If there was no intention of paying down the debt at all AND the club is content to make a small loss again in the coming year (I happen to think that £5m a year is not a small loss to Everton but rather a big one) then the entire £25m from the TV deals would be allocated to Martinez's transfer fund. That doesn't appear to be the case so, like the Arteta sale, that money looks like it's going somewhere other than the team.

If, for example, the Board elect to use £10m of the new TV deal to pay off the most recent Vibrac loan so that it doesn't have to take out another one in August (thereby avoiding at least £1m lost to interest) then I think that's prudent.

(Of course, there's the issue that it's the Board's fault that the loan was needed in the first place and that the transfer kitty is suffering as a result but what's done is done.)

Tom Dodds
74 Posted 06/06/2013 at 23:42:19
Mark(761), Patrick(763)

Lord Grantchester is worth £1.2 Billion. It is believed from albeit obscure reports that he does want to take over/have an active part in the club, but (and this quote is genuine) `He (Grantchester) will not take an active part(ie, investment) in the running of the club "while True Blue Holdings (Kenwright) are in a position of authority" (ie, major shareholder/chairman). Which I think bears out to an extent his reluctance imo to lend Kenwright the money to buy Fer et al (on the strength of the TV money) when we where so near to a Champions League spot.

Now why would you give someone with the power and NO money a leg up?? When you can just wait till he implodes.

Mike Jones
75 Posted 07/06/2013 at 00:00:44
Mark Frere #761, why do you hate Kenwright? Your first sentence supports, then blames, and finally supports, him, no? and why do you finish by defending a position you never offered as a proposition?

Kenwright might not be your choice as Chairman but until we get a Russian or Arabian owner, who would you all like? That guy at Newcastle, or him at Wolves, or him at Wigan, or him at Sheffield Utd, or him at Liverpool, or him at Hartlepool, or him at Aston Villa, or him at Hearts, or him at Darlington, or him at...

Andy Crooks
76 Posted 07/06/2013 at 00:26:31
I'm disappointed that some are making plans for spending the Fellaini money. If Martinez has any ambition he should be breaking his neck to keep him. To talk of Champions league and then sell our best asset to a rival is insane.

Roberto, make a statement of intent,. Tell Fellaini he stays because Everton is going to be something special next season. To accept that he is going is defeatist and small club mentality.

Kevin Tully
77 Posted 07/06/2013 at 00:36:43
Mike # 781

The owners of Wigan, Newcastle & Villa have all invested many millions into their clubs, don't confuse League position with poor ownership - the two are not necessarily linked.

Ian Black
78 Posted 07/06/2013 at 00:24:23
Moving away from all the grassy-knoll arguments for one minute.

Assuming you take in good faith that Moyes was planning on staying at Goodison until this opportunity (ahem) unexpectedly presented itself and he did say consistently through the second half of the season that he was making plans for next season, wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that Kenwright had made some sort of provisional agreement about summer spends, particularly as an all-important new contract was due to be signed? Moyes had made it clear that he needed funds to take the club forward and was making all the noises that suggested he had a plan for the summer.

I'm not going into a numbers game here, in fact I'm just leading up to veering off onto a hitherto unmentioned tangent. Given that plans were in place (assuming the above to be correct), wouldn't Moyes have been compiling a little black book of potential summer transfer targets and done his infamously meticulous homework on each of these targets, knowing roughly what budget we had? I would say that was a reasonable assumption. And now that he has moved on to sunnier climes would he be taking this little black book with him? Now his budget is in the stratosphere (comparatively) and we are not seen as a real competition in the league, would he leave that book here, bearing in mind he will have compiled his list whilst being paid good money by Everton and may feel some semblance of loyalty and maybe, just maybe a bit of an affinity to the club?

If so, I would suggest Martinez has a good rifle through this book if he wants to initially maintain continuity as Moyes wasn't too bad himself sifting through the bargain bucket. I know he would want to bring in his own guys but maybe just for this transfer window we could reap the benefits of two good bargain hunters unpolished diamonds swell our ranks.

Do I win the optimist of the day award?

Mike Jones
79 Posted 07/06/2013 at 00:59:52
Kevin #786

You say:
"The owners of Wigan, Newcastle & Villa have all invested many millions into their clubs, don't confuse League position with poor ownership — the two are not necessarily linked"

What do you mean? They've all had (poor?) league position — do you agree? The 'poor' is my addition here. If you agree, are you saying they have 'poor ownership' (your words) (or is it Everton you say have poor leadership and if so how do you explain good league position?) and poor league position? if so, does that reinforce my point that you don't want him at.....etc. Can you illuminate for me?

Kevin Tully
81 Posted 07/06/2013 at 00:36:43
Mike - I am talking about the long term financial health of those clubs, not on the pitch performance.

If we have two bad seasons, or God forbid get relegated, we have no future. We are completely reliant on T.V. income and gate receipts.

The long term finances are also deteriorating season by season, as shown by our balance sheet.

As a business, we have no credit rating, we can discuss all day whose fault this is, but that doesn't really matter, the club have no plans for the future, and we a living hand to mouth.

I don't give a damn who is in the boardroom, as long as the club will be around in the top division for many generations to come.

Goodison Park is a relic - that would be a good place to start.

Karl Masters
82 Posted 07/06/2013 at 01:19:08
We are going to be losing Mucha, Neville, Hitz, possibly Fella, possibly Johnny from a very small squad. So we need five signings, maybe more, although Barkley, Duffy, McAleny, Lundstrem, Hope, Kennedy, Green may provide some answers. Roberto needs to assess everybody first so I don't see much inward activity until late July tbh unless we get Fella leaving.
Peter Thistle
83 Posted 07/06/2013 at 03:16:28
We ain't gonna get much for 10 million, seems a bit of a small amount considering the TV cash that's coming in. A decent forward would cost that much and more. Give him 20 mill and see what he can do.
Douglas Turner
84 Posted 07/06/2013 at 06:45:26
Bye Bye Screech! Arsenal makes first bid..
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/06/06/4031002/arsenal-launch-stunning-22m-fellaini-bid
Eric Myles
85 Posted 07/06/2013 at 06:52:18
Richard #646, keep up with the programme, the loss last year was 9 million after sales of assets.
Douglas Turner
86 Posted 07/06/2013 at 06:47:33
An all out bidding war between ManU and Arsenal seem to be in place. I predict £28-£30m for Marti to party with! That on top of BK's Sofa money could indeed round up to nxs of (Austin Powers Moment)......... £50m
Mark Tanton
87 Posted 07/06/2013 at 06:58:44
There can't be a bidding war surely? You all bid the required amount and all get to speak to him.
Peter Bell
88 Posted 07/06/2013 at 08:12:23
Mark, Everton make the decision who can talk to the player, the trigger in the clause is just a minimum figure. Arsenal trigger the clause by offering the 24m but Man U offer 25m so Everton agree he can speak to Man U unless Arsenal increase their offer and on it goes
Ciarán McGlone
89 Posted 07/06/2013 at 09:11:27
"Mark, Everton make the decision who can talk to the player, the trigger in the clause is just a minimum figure. Arsenal trigger the clause by offering the £24M but Man Utd offer £25M so Everton agree he can speak to Man Utd unless Arsenal increase their offer and on it goes."
----------------------------

Guesswork, and illogical guesswork at that..

The point of this type of contractual clause is to allow the player to have leverage to extricate themselves from said contract.

Once a club offers this amount, then Everton cannot prevent a sale. There is absolutely no point in any club offering anything beyond the value of the clause, as the player can go to any club who meet this requirement. Adding a couple of mill to the clause value gives no benefit whatsoever.

Drew Shortis
90 Posted 07/06/2013 at 09:38:21
Peter and Douglas
I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think it could turn into a bidding war. If the release clause for a CL club is £22m then they can all bid that amount and we have no choice but to accept their offers. At this point it is up to Fellaini if he wants to stay or to go. I expect the bidding war would then be based on the contracts offered to Fellaini. Of course he may decide to stay, but if the money offered in wages is anything more than £100k p/w I find it difficult to see him turning it down!

I sincerely hope he chooses to stay, but if the media stories about Arsenal making a bid are true I think it is almost inevitable that he will go. Perhaps Martinez can convince him that CL football is a possibility, but if he moves he is guaranteed that straight away and he gets paid more for that privilege!

I hate to see a world class player leave, but on the plus side we get a massive wage off our books and £22m in for Martinez to spend. If Leroy Fer is still available for £6.8m, a third of Fellaini's fee, we have a classy replacement in the same mould as well as enough cash left over for several other players. I just hope a decision is reached quickly, one way or the other, so we can move ahead with our plans for next season!

Clive Rogers
91 Posted 07/06/2013 at 10:03:08
Patrick #711

All very true, well said.
The main problem is that BK obviously has no business acumen. His own production company only made £660 last year and he has took EFC from making a small profit to heavy losses, £9M last year, even though Sky money has come on board and he has sold all the assets off. He is an unmittigated disaster.

My greatest fear is that all the evidence suggests he will be there another 15 years and the damage he has done will be beyond repair.

Brian Denton
92 Posted 07/06/2013 at 10:58:03
Peter Bell, I suspect that interpretation of the agreement is rather an optimistic one.
Carl Sanderson
93 Posted 07/06/2013 at 13:03:29
Stewart 588:

"...Fellaini does have a buy out clause, so if Martinez does choose to cash in on him..."

If the buy-out clause is activated it will be because a club has offered the requisite fee; it will not be Martinez's choice.

Think about that before you imply that fellow Evertonians are "plain stupid".

Ste Traverse
94 Posted 07/06/2013 at 13:21:42
Mike Jones.

Yes, maybe I wouldn't want those owners at other clubs...but many of us don't want Kenwright either.

Too many are easily swayed by him being a blue.

Instead of listing the failings at other clubs, can you please list BK's achievements over the last 14 years.

I'm all ears...

Chris Ashton
95 Posted 07/06/2013 at 13:27:40
First and foremost, no-one has triggered any clause in Fellaini's contract as of yet. The minute that happens by the Sky 4 then the press will be all over it.

Now people seem to band about all the players we have been linked with before as potential signings this summer. I disagree with this thought, there must be a reason we didn't sign them, whether it was a made up story or whatever else it was. I do have a solution, which may take a couple of months to pull off but it would mark Everton as genuine contenders next year for the top 4.

If we sell Fellaini, then we need to invest a lot into the squad, however with a good scouting system and shrewd business we could potentially add real quality. How does this sound? I say these as hypothetical not as the actual players who would cost a lot more now. We sign this summer Demba Ba, Michu, Emmanuelson on loan, Diame, Hoilett, Michael Owen as a marqee signing and Al Habsi.

Look at the cost of these players when they made significant jumps in their career, West Ham paid £4 million, Swansea paid £2 million, Diame free, Hoillett free, Michael Owen, around £15 million to Newcastle, Emmanuelson to Fulham, Al Habsi £3 million. All-in-all, £24 million for those players. We sign players on par with that so to speak and would we be a better team?

All of those types of players are available if you look around hard enough, that's what the scouts are there for. Imagine a squad filled out with first team and squad quality for the price of one player. Personally I would go for that this summer, we would be far the better for it.

Douglas Turner
96 Posted 07/06/2013 at 15:12:11
Chris #929 Have a butchers............ http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/06/07/4031892/revealed-how-fellaini-bid-underlines-arsenals-summer?ICID=OP
Douglas Turner
97 Posted 07/06/2013 at 15:24:20
Arsenal's £22m bid for Fellaini, which activates the buy-out clause in his contract applicable to top-four clubs, sends out the message that the north Londoners' ambition stretches beyond securing a Champions League place every season.

However, the deal for the Belgian is not sewn up yet. Even though under the terms of the contract Fellaini signed in November 2011 Everton are obliged to accept the offer on the table from Arsenal, the player and his advisers must still give the move the green light and agree a package with the Gunners.

There is also the possibility that Arsenal's bid could force a counter move from one of Fellaini's other suitors. Chelsea's interest in the midfielder is believed to have dwindled but new Manchester United manager David Moyes could yet sanction a bid for Everton's prize asset that trumps Arsenal's offer.

Moyes is expected to make at least one marquee signing this summer and the most obvious vacancy in the United team is for an authoritative midfielder to pair with Michael Carrick, one that his former charge appears ideally equipped to fill.

Paul Melarange
98 Posted 07/06/2013 at 15:27:32
I don't really want to see Fellaini go but I think it's inevitable as he wants Champions League football. If they can get say £24 million for him plus sell Heitinga and there's around £30 million that hopefully Martinez gets to bring players in, taking Blue Bill on his word that the manager will receive all of the transfer fees!!

John Crawley
99 Posted 07/06/2013 at 16:05:16
Don't we just ignore the compo we have to pay for Martinez after all we don't have to pay him as much in wages as we payed David Moyes? So shouldn't it all balance out for the first year and then after that we will be making approximately £2 million savings a year?
Stewart Lowe
100 Posted 07/06/2013 at 16:07:43
Can I make a suggestion for everyone to take a look at Man City's on-loan striker John Guidetti, who is 22 years old, 6'-1" and has just scored an impressive 28 goals in 23 games for Feyenord in a decent Dutch League. He is a massive name for right now and the future and at roughly £8M, an absolute steal and just what our club need. He is strong and reminds me a little of a young Bergkamp.
James Stewart
101 Posted 07/06/2013 at 16:13:13
There will be Money available as soon as Fellaini is sold. Same as always.
Patrick Murphy
102 Posted 07/06/2013 at 16:10:50
I'm just watching Indonesia playing Holland in a friendly and Johnny Heitinga has come on in the 2nd half, the Commentator mentioned how his career may be affected by RM's appointment.
Mervyn Day in his remarks said that DM was pragmatic and it would be an interesting journey for the Everton boys as sometimes RM plays attacking football at the expense of a clean sheet.
He went on to agree with commentator that United have better players and DM has proved himself as a very good manager and has the ability to adjust his situation.

So how do they know that RM doesn't have the ability to alter his methods with different players at his disposal, it seems that the media have once again decided that if somebody is connected to Everton Football Club they are doomed to be unsuccessful whereas if someone goes to the usual suspects they cannot fail.

Come on blue boys prove the lot of them wrong.


David Israel
103 Posted 07/06/2013 at 17:19:53
If Marouane Fellaini does go, it'd better be sooner rather than later, or the transfer window will close and the money will vanish - never to be seen again.
Drew Shortis
104 Posted 07/06/2013 at 17:42:57
John Guidetti is a great shout and if he was available for £8m I would go for it. He isn't going to get a chance at City any time soon so it would be a good move for him too. The Dutch League may not be the best in Europe, but 28 goals in 23 games is a sensational tally. The only snag may be that most teams in Europe will be aware of his record. I remember him being touted as a big player for Sweden before the Euro's, but I don't think he started for them.
Thomas Windsor
105 Posted 07/06/2013 at 18:58:04
Why did Bill have to mention Martinez getting us in the Champions League? That would take a really good manager and millions of pounds... Selling Fellaini is not the answer, selling the club is.
Geoff Freeman
106 Posted 07/06/2013 at 19:50:56
I may sound stupid but if Fellaini is sold due to a club triggering the release clause,does that not mean he does not get part of the transfer fee because in effect
he has asked for the transfer
Robert Collins
108 Posted 07/06/2013 at 20:42:27
Ciarán McGlone @ 862

Your logic is also questionable on the Fellani "Out" clause.

How do you know that EFC has not insisted on a clause along these lines, BK would have to be a mug not to have insisted on something like this:

"If only one champions league team makes a bid of 24m, the player may engage in negotiations leading to a transfer."

"If two or more champions league teams make offers for the player, an auction situation will then come into being and the player cannot be sold until one or all of the clubs have outbid each other."


The above would be a perfectly legal statement and forces one club to pay more than the other(s), there's no questioning that if it's in the contract, Fellani is happy he's off and EFC start a bidding war.


Alan Smith
109 Posted 07/06/2013 at 22:36:06
Doubt it. He will be able to speak to anyone who meets the terms of the clause, as the more he costs the less the buying club has to spend on his wages.

I reckon it's £27m too which some reports have said. Probably £2m signing bonuses for Fellaini and his advisor and a nice round £25m for Everton.

Unless the £24m figure is a simple calculation. The amount he'd earn over the length of his five year, deal. Then maybe the figure reduces season on season, for every year completed, by value of his wages earned that season.

Maybe next year the clause drops to £19.84m, if he's on £80k/week

Probably why Kenwright hopes someone activates it now.

Who knows. It would make sense when working out fair compensation. And can't a player, over a certain age, buy himself out of his final two years anyway?

It's probably an extension of that rule, that both parties will have agreed on.

God why do I waste time pondering this crap... Football used to be a sport once!

Robert Collins
110 Posted 07/06/2013 at 23:16:08
Alan Smith @ 118

Alan, for Manc, ManU and Chelski and few other continental teams 24m (+ all the other sums you mentioned) is but a drop in the ocean.

It's not us or Hull who are buying him.

Don't worry about their resources to buy, they've got them and let's take them for every penny we can get.

Alan Smith
111 Posted 07/06/2013 at 23:22:55
I agree about man city and chelski, but Man U bought Rooney in instalments. I reckon he leaves for less next season to.

Si Cooper
112 Posted 08/06/2013 at 01:56:29
I think it would be overly optimistic to believe that Fellaini's buy out clause would favour anyone but himself (and that means a flat fee for all suitors with the personal terms they offer being the deciding factor).

Surely it will have been something he and his agent engineered when he agreed to sign his new contract, when he would have had a strong bargaining position as we were desperate to tie him up on a longer contract to ensure he didn't just run down his existing contract and walk away for next to nothing.

Paul Andrews
113 Posted 08/06/2013 at 08:21:03
Robert Collins,

"Kenwright would have to be a mug to have not inserted........:-)

Paul Smith
115 Posted 08/06/2013 at 23:29:19
i'd rather not sell Fellaini an spend the money Kenwright says Moyes would have had. I said the same about Rodwell though and look what happened there. We have Barkley coming through now an maybe one or two younger players that could help the squad, couple of cheap gems and we'll be ok, Thats obviously if he can unearth some cheap gems but whatever happens I hope Fellaini stays, selling quailty makes no sense
Steve Brown
116 Posted 09/06/2013 at 03:56:46
A top-class manager could do a lot with £30m, but we decided not to appoint one of those.... so it will be interesting to see how a manager used to turning out relegation fodder does with this amount of cash. My guess is far less than a top European coach would have done, especially with a top 6 squad. The only time Martinez has ever come close to a top 6 number is on his Lotto ticket.

The fact that we knew we would funds to spend and still appointed him demonstrates what a world class clown BK is ..."when you know you know", what our glorious chairman knows abt football could be written on the back of a stamp and still leave plenty of room for his shopping list at Fortnum and Masons.


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