Reports: Swansea reject big £45m offer from Everton

Tuesday, 25 July, 2017 266comments  |  Jump to most recent
Swansea City continue to play hardball over Gylfi Sigurdsson, insisting on a price tag of £50m according to reports.

Everton have long been linked with the star midfielder, apparently failing with a £25m bid a year ago, and are said to have made two bids this summer, the latest around £45m. The Welsh club are saying this is the first offer and it was £40m, presumably meaning the remaining £5m was in the form of appearance-related add-ons.

The astronomical fee for the 28-year-old has been turned down, however, if the latest indications from the media are correct and it seems as though the Blues will have to meet the Swans' asking price if they are to land their next transfer target.

Sigurdsson, who had a spell with Tottenham Hotspur, was reported to have made known his desire to return to a big English club earlier this year but doesn't appear to be agitating for a move from the Liberty Stadium.  



Reader Comments (266)

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Colin Glassar
1 Posted 25/07/2017 at 07:48:41
£50m is the new £10m. Get used to it.
Craig Fletcher
2 Posted 25/07/2017 at 07:55:14
Looks like we'll be paying over the odds for Gylfi. But hey, if he replicates his record from the past two years in the next two seasons, you could argue it'll be worth it.

If not, well we'll no longer be able to take the piss out of the Reds for paying £35m for Andy Carroll.

Keith Conchie
3 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:04:00
Prices have gone crazy, it's just madness how much they want for him.

But if Koeman and Walsh really rate him and want him so much, then you have to pay the asking price. If we've offered 㿙m and they want 㿞m then we should be able to sort this out a lot quicker than we have been.

So far we've only spent the Lukaku money, and if Barkley goes then we will have even more money. We should easily be able to afford this transfer regardless of who we sell or don't sell, so let's just get it done. If we want to compete with the top clubs then we need to show we have the financial muscle to do so.

Come on Everton, it's all about onwards and upwards for us now. We started this transfer window really positively, let's keep it going.

Stephen Bate
4 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:04:18
Stop beating about the bush, Ron, spend the 㿞m and get him in the squad!
Jim Hourigan
5 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:10:50
Over-rated and grossly over-priced; failed at Spurs and average in a poor Swansea team. I really struggle to see how he improves our team and where he will play and more importantly, in place of whom? – Schneiderlin? Gueye? Klaassen?

If he is added to these 3 then we have no pace and no width in a midfield that becomes predictable. Then what happens to the youngsters?

Spend the money on a decent centre forward!!!

Liam Reilly
6 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:16:50
Crazy money and it's not like there's a bidding war. Apparently he's training with the Under-23s (according to the BBC anyway).

There's not an infinite amount of cash and those here suggesting "just spend it" will be the same crowd in January or next summer asking where all the cash is gone.

There's better value out there for me and leave them with an unhappy player; they'll soon change their tune.

Craig Fletcher
7 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:20:52
Jim (#5), he was much, much better than average in the Swansea team last year. Having said that I agree, would rather we went big on a high-quality centre forward.

Problem is, convincing one in that category to come to a-club who haven't even as yet qualified for the group stages of the Europa League. As much as we'd love the romanticised version that said player "only ever dreamed of playing for Everton". Different times these days I'm afraid. Exhibit one is our former Belgian frontman.

Kunal Desai
8 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:27:31
Which quality forward is going to join us for £50 million?
Steven Scaffardi
9 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:27:53
I'm not getting too hung up on the price. Transfer fees have gone crazy. Is Pogba really worth 㿓m more than Gylfi? Arguably we started this whole thing anyway by demanding 㿞m for Stones! That still brings a smile to my face. :)
David Morgan
10 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:29:36
Swansea are milking us dry here, I hope whoever they want to buy with the 㿞m does the same to them. Then I hope they go down because they have held on to the player for longer than needed to spite us, at the detriment of a player who has done well for them and will be making them a 㿙m profit or so.

Maybe their chairman plans to do an 'Arteta money' deal and take the money 10 minutes before the deadline so he can stick it in the clubs bank account rather than spend it on players.

I see other posts mentioning a striker or someone else for 㿞m but who else is there for 㿞m? some names? I can't think of anyone... although I am sure Steve Walsh could.

Steven Scaffardi
11 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:31:40
@David (#10) – It goes in circles. They'll have to replace Gylfi and other clubs will know they have 㿞m in their pockets. It'll force the fee up for whoever they try and buy.
Jeremy Jansen
12 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:31:57
I really do rate Gylfi but I think the price is outrageous (even in the current market) and would be throwing in the towel once we got above 㿔m.

I also can't help but wonder what position he'd slot into and who would be losing out on playing time due to his being in the squad. First world problems but still...

Paul Smith
13 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:37:24
Kuna, you know there's a whole host of unknown stars ready to be plucked from continental leagues.

㾶mill – 㿀mill everyone's picking up these sure thing bargains.

I mean the top 6 have been spending this kind of dough for the last 10 years but we can pick a winner every time, never losing out with a dud, we're that special, us.

Let's pay up, bed him in, and get going.

Christopher Marston
14 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:38:37
I think we need to trust Koeman on this one. Also, we kind of saved money with the cheap-as-chips acquisitions of Sandro and Oyenkuru plus the cheap signing of what we hope to be a revitalised Rooney.

Pay over the odds for one and save on three. Sounds like good business planning to me.

Andrew Ellams
15 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:40:32
This does make us look a bit free and easy with the cash if they end up getting £50million and could put us immediately on the back foot in any future negotiations for other players.
Trevor Peers
16 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:40:41
This is the player Koeman has identified to fill the void in midfield, he's putting his reputation on the line, so the fee isn't the issue.

If it works and Sigurdsson adds some venom and guile to our anonymous midfield, then it will be money well spent, failure is unthinkable.

Man City after all, have spent 𧴺million on full backs so let's put the fee into perspective.

Drew Shortis
17 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:41:18
The missing piece of the jigsaw! Get it done!!

Yes, it is a ridiculous fee and we'll be mocked by other fans, but this is how the market is now. Swansea don't want to sell and we really need a proven playmaker.

If he can continue the form he has shown over the past three years at Swansea and can help us into the top four or to win a trophy, then nobody will care how much he cost.

Is it a shame we can't spend the 㿞m on two or three hot prospects who could be the next Gylfi? Perhaps, but how long will it take for them to fulfil that potential and how often do these hot prospects flop? Sigurdsson is proven and that's why there is such a premium.

Mark Schofield
18 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:43:11
If we could get Mahrez for a similar value or less, that's got to be better deal given age and imo quality. I do rate Gylfi but £50 mil!
Eddie Dunn
19 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:45:15
The market is inflated. Just pay the extra few million and get him. I can see us recouping some of it either soon or in January.
Drew Shortis
20 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:51:50
To people saying 㿔m is acceptable but 㿞m is too much. What would we spend that other 㾶m on? Another Besic-type squad player?

I acknowledge 㿞m is really steep, but we've been crying out for a midfield playmaker ever since Arteta left and now we have the opportunity, with no competition from other clubs.

The days of penny-pinching Everton are over. We don't have to consider resale value here, just how he can improve our team over the next few years and push us to the next level.

Daniel Lawrence
21 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:51:54
Well it is certainly starting to feel that we under-priced Lukaku at 㿷M plus add ons!

Surely Walsh's job is to find players better priced than this? Oh and what came of his very public trip to Milan to negotiate for six players?

John G Davies
22 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:52:36
https://mobile.twitter.com/blue_fucking/status/889551243579973635/photo/1
Phil Walling
23 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:52:58
Swansea were crap for most of last season and this guy's stats are only marginally better than Barkley's. He's four years older for a start and was an abject failure when he sampled the big time with Spurs.
John G Davies
24 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:58:09
Try again.

https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/stats-gylfi-sigurdsson-might-feel-aggrieved-that-philippe-coutinho-pipped-him-to-team-of-the-year-23356

Brent Stephens
25 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:58:39
Do we want the quality and the stardust that Sigurdsson can bring? Or are we happy to settle for less?

Surely we won't buy somebody of lesser quality?! I thought we were going places; so if Mosh wants to pay, who am I to argue.

Sure, we might be able to do better than Sigurdsson. But that will surely cost more? I won't be unhappy if Moshiri gets this over the line.

Ian Glassey
26 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:58:41
City have just spent 𧴺mil on two full backs.. The market is crazy and if Ron wants this guy, we will pay it. Let's have a striker next.
Trevor Peers
27 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:59:04
I guess that's why he brought Rooney back, Phil?
Steve Ferns
28 Posted 25/07/2017 at 08:59:35
I'm not a fan of Gylfi. We could spend that 㿞m so much more wisely and buy a striker and a forward and keep Barkley.


Chris Williams
29 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:02:27
Has Koeman identified him as a player he wants? As far as we can tell, yes.

Have Koeman and Walsh got a plan about how they want the team to be set up and play? As far as we can tell, yes.

Will the club back his purchase? As far as we can tell, yes.

Is there any truth in this story? As far as we can tell yes.

None of us know for sure what the score is here, but if the above assumptions are correct, the question is not is he worth the money, but is he worth the money in this ludicrous market and more importantly, is he worth the money to us?

If the answer is, "As far as we can tell, yes," then pay up and smile.

By the way, where has it been said that this purchase would stop the purchase of a centre-forward? It may influence the type of centre-forward though.

Trevor Peers
30 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:03:17
Steve (#29), how can we keep Barkley if he won't sign a new contract? Get real.
Peter Warren
31 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:05:27
Surely we should be going all out for Mahrez for 㿞M and 𧵎k wages?

Also, I don't understand the article saying he is apparently not agitating for a move... erm, he just refused to go training with Swansea in America????

Brian Williams
32 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:08:19
Few strange and IMO misguided outlooks this morning.

How can people get upset with Swansea when they're doing exactly what we've done in the past and will do again in the future? They've put a value on their player and have every right to do so. Someone comes and pays it, or they look elsewhere. We've tried to get him at "our" price and now we have to pay up or move on.

Pochettino has admitted on several occasions he felt it was a mistake to let Sigurdsson go and that he would have been "perfect" for his team. To say Sigurdsson was an abject failure is rubbish, I'm afraid.

Phil Walling
33 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:11:39
In reply to Steve @ 29, Alan Brazil mentioned it twice in the first hour of his TalkSport show this morning. Of course, it maybe pure speculation but I should hate to see Davies used as a makeweight in a move for the Icelander!
Mike Corcoran
34 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:15:31
I'd rather get a £50 mill goal scoring centre-forward.
Mike Green
35 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:19:59
We put a 𧴜m price tag on Rom's head and compromised at 㿷m (-䀆m?).

I would walk away now and see how Swansea get on with a disaffected player for the sake of trying to get an extra ٣m.

Steven Telford
36 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:22:25
We are not weak in midfield, that sort of money, better we drop it on a truly world class center-half, Kalidou Koulibaly, and move into the season with a shrug of our shoulders to Swansea.

We are mugs if we spend more than 㿏-40M on this guy.

Adam Scott
37 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:24:27
I'm not a fan of the Gylfi talk.

Comparisons with Stones and Pogba are unfair. Both considerably younger and both have the potential (but Pogba in particular) to offer massive commercial boosts that in effect "pay back" the transfer fee.

I think the board have to stand up to Koeman here. I think he is a good manager, but he has no real interest in Everton 10-15 years down the line. Easy for him to suggest throwing 㿞m at a 28-year-old player. It smacks of recklessness financially. Particularly as I don't see him taking Everton to the next level.

He is a good player with exceptional dead-ball qualities. With Rooney and Sandro though, how important is it? With Sigurdsson we are still lacking pace, width and guile. The one player I would love to see for this money is Mahrez. Now, we aren't of interest to him now, but if the Roma deal doesn't come off, this time next month we may be. Gylfi is going nowhere. Nobody else is interested. Keep the powder dry for a while!

A No from me.

Ciarán McGlone
38 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:26:09
We are in danger of loading our midfield with players of similar ability. We will have no stand out players despite spending £50 mill on Sigurdsson.

He is a good player, but he is nowhere near the 'Hazards' that populate the Number 10 position in the team's we are chasing above us. I refuse to believe we cannot get a better player for £50 mill.

Mark Andersson
39 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:26:15
This is the same boring story from a few days ago, same arguments for and against. Can we have something new, even if our editors make it up, no different to the rags.

I heard that Bale wants to come back to the UK and would consider Everton as being Welsh is like been a cousin to souse Rooney like... He's only a £150 million more than Sigurdsson so let's go for it..

James Ebden
42 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:31:21
㿞m even in this inflated market is too high. He did flop at Spurs, you can't deny that – so all those saying he is proven, not at the sharp end of the league he isn't. There are younger, cheaper prospects out there with just as much ability.

Money may not be a problem for the club now, but if we cave in and pay over the odds it will set a precedent for every future purchase.

We tried a couple of bids, they said no; time to move on. Unless Sigurdsson speaks up and forces it through (which he won't as he will be losing bonuses).

John Roberts
43 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:33:30
It's a tricky one. Just like Lescott etc for us, it's very tempting to hold our nerve and leave him at Swansea causing a bad smell amongst the squad which almost every time impacts on the season. For Swansea, that would mean relegation.

Or... do we just pay the extra ٣m which seems bus money these days and get somebody who will probably improve us??? The latter will probably happen.

Bob Parrington
44 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:33:47
Mike Green (#38),

I agree 100%. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction!? Was this one of Newton's laws. (I'm 69 so it is a long time since school).

But I sense there's a reaction from the "smaller" clubs to the preying by the "Very Rich" clubs and their manipulation of the Very Greedy agents. So, I don't blame Swansea for sticking to this on principle, even if we are not one of the very rich clubs.

Our decision should be needs based, I suppose. That is, is it essential that we have this man in our team? Or Is there another that will fit the plans we have?

I can't answer this but, gut feel, I think at this price say No and we should look for a younger player using Walsh's intuitive understanding of who fits where.

Ian Jones
45 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:35:17
I don't see how Sigurdsson was necessarily a failure at Spurs. Could it also be simply a case that Tottenham failed to get the best out of him?

After all, Pochettino is reported to have said that 'Gylfi Sigurdsson would have been perfect for me at Tottenham'.

See old Guardian report...
Link

In this report, it also mentions 'Pochettino wants greater productivity from his attacking midfielders and it is not difficult to see why he might look longingly at Sigurdsson, who has also tended to play well against Tottenham.'

Substitute Koeman for Pochettino and Everton for Tottenham in the above sentence... and it's not hard to see why Koeman might like Sigurdsson.

Bobby Mallon
46 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:37:01
Kunal @8,

Giroud for half that price – here's one. Dembele of Celtic makes two... Nicolai Jørgensen, good player, three.

What most on here need to realise, Koeman is building a team of attacking midfielders who all score goals with just one focal striker who has movement.

Steve Bingham
48 Posted 25/07/2017 at 09:44:37
Time to move on and leave this one alone I think .
Paul Baker
49 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:00:30
Seems like under every rumor thread linking Everton to players who are overpriced / overrated / not good enough, there follow multiple comments in this vein:

I don't think [insert player's name] is worth [insert price tag], but if Koeman and Walsh think he can improve the squad, I'm happy with it.

Let's assume then, that none of the top forwards wants to be an Everton player and come August 25 one of the leading papers reports desperate Everton are interested in signing Nicklas Bendtner for, say 䀆m. It would be only logical to expect comments like this, then, right?

I don't think Niklas Bendtner is worth 䀆m, but if Koeman and Walsh think he can improve the squad, I'm happy with it.

Lads, just because the market has gone crazy, doesn't mean Everton have to follow! Sigurdsson is a top player, but he isn't near world-class and neither will he prove a difference maker between Everton consolidating 7th place and challenging for top 4. World-class players are out of Everton's reach and will be until we get to the Champions League. There are loads of players of similar quality who are / were available for far less than the mooted 㿞m, though.

Hakan Calhanoglu, 23, for example, whose free kick delivery (among other qualities) is even superior to that of Gylfi's, has just signed for free spending Milan for a mere 㾿.7m. James Rodriguez who actually is a world-beater (there's no shame in struggling to break into Real Madrid's XI) will cost Bayern about 㿖.9m in total (٦.9m for two-year loan, 㿎m option to buy), should they decide to sign him permanently in 2019. There are loads of players of similar quality who were / still are available for far less.

Besides, it would send a wrong message to all other clubs whose players we are interested in. Just like that, an extra ٣-10m will be put on every player's head when Everton are mentioned.

And the famous "It's not my money, so why would I care?" line... Well, it might be true to some degree, but money isn't grown on trees and if we pay too much for one player, there might be a problem signing quality reinforcements elsewhere.

Antony Matthews
50 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:07:15
What's to say we cough up the full amount but fail to agree terms with the player? The longer this goes on, the player could milk us if he sees we are desperate to get him.
Stan Schofield
51 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:12:40
I would argue that it is pointless for people to say at this point in time that Sigurdsson is not worth 㿞M. A player is surely worth what a club is ultimately willing to pay for him.

If Swansea are asking for 㿞M, but nobody is ultimately willing to pay that, then by definition Sigurdsson is not worth that amount. However, if Everton or another club is ultimately willing to pay 㿞M, then by definition he's worth that amount.

That doesn't stop Everton trying to negotiate the price down, but if Swansea insist on 㿞M and won't negotiate down, then either we get the player for 㿞M or we walk away.

Same applies to anything that people buy and sell.

Andrew Ellams
52 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:14:00
Paul, you had to bring money trees into it. As long as the back four stays strong and stable we'll be fine.
David Ellis
53 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:15:41
I think we can let Swansea and Sigurdsson stew on this for a bit. This isn't going to end any time soon unless we just cave in and I have a feeling we won't. Like others I think Sigurdsson would be a great acquisition but I don't think he's the missing link or the difference between 7th and say 5th in the league.

I think Swansea are crazy not to take the money. I think Sigurdsson is justified in being angry because this is a very generous offer and by not taking it they are holding him back. This will cause bad blood between them and his performance level will likely drop (like Lescott for example). Having said that, his agent should have included a buy-out clause!

Brian Wilkinson
54 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:23:40
For what it's worth, he is Ronnie's number one target, we are close to the asking amount.

We have a full house for Thursday's Europa League game; I would be very very surprised if this deal is not completed before our game on Thursday, then he is paraded at Goodison Park on Thursday evening.

John Pierce
55 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:26:06
All pretty straight forward. We pay the money. We are not Man Utd or Arsenal. Players don't pine to join us.

This is the first real roadblock in the new transfer policy. If we move on from Sigurdsson, then we will get the same resistance from the next club.

We have neither the international reach or status to get close to attracting the fantasy players people post as alternatives. We cannot buy 'top six' players but we can buy other teams best players and take players surplus to requirements at the top six. To date I think the strategy has been sound, nothing to complain about – even if it costs us 㿞m for Sigurdsson.

Anyone really thing for we could have bought Lacazette, Silva, Mendy or Walker? They are not even in the highest bracket of player. Same value as Sigurdsson. We will pay over the odds, and for sometime yet.

Look at Man City – still overpaying despite a couple of league titles and regular Champion League footy, but attracting a better calibre of player. The improvements we are making a incremental and in overall depth.

As for Swansea, nothing no more than they should do, good on them for sticking to their guns. Everton have done much the same having been in their position with one Wayne Rooney.

Søren Østerballe
56 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:28:53
This would definitely be the icing on the cake in this transfer window. Everton will definitely get a good wide squad on all positions, with big potential for top 6 :) maybe 4-5 ;)
James Watts
57 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:30:22
Paul (#58).

I wouldn't disagree with some of your arguments BUT players like James Rodriguez and his ilk would demand double the wages (if not more) than Sigurdsson would - overlooking the fact we wouldn't have a cat-in-hell's chance of getting him/them anyway. So with pure transfer fee, they would look similar or even less but with wages, they would be way more expensive overall.

I did like the look of that fella Milan brought too you mentioned, would have been a good signing I think for us.

I think at this junction of the 'project' we do have to over pay for players that are just below that world class bracket as we can't tempt those world class players just yet.

Charlie Lloyd
58 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:31:02
Lets get this straight – 㿞m is outrageous.

But if Sigurdsson can get about a double figure of assists with only really Llorente to aim for, what could he achieve with Sandro, Rooney and Klaassen to aim for???

Just a thought.

Chris Watts
59 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:40:37
What about the young Portuguese lad Sanchez? Bayern are apparently letting him go for way less than Sigurdsson and we have a good record with young players that might attract him.

I wouldn't underestimate our appeal to be honest. It's obvious we are a club on the up. Keane, Klaassen etc wouldn't have come otherwise. And the Rooney factor helps – he's still massively well regarded round the world any young forward would want to play alongside him and learn from him.

I'd go for Sanchez, Dembele and Dolberg then come back to Sigurdsson and a light night fast left-back.

Christy Ring
60 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:45:00
With Rooney, Sandro and Klaassen in the team, we don't need to spend 㿞m on Sigurdsson. A target man, winger and left back would give us more quality in all positions.

Steve Jones
61 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:47:18
If Leicester have valued Mahrez at £50M and Swansea won't entertain any less for Sigurdsson, why is there even a conversation here?

Tony Everan
63 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:54:53
I rate Sigurdsson but 㿙M is way too much. I could stomach it if he was 24 like Romelu, but at nearly 28 he is a massive outlay for a player who at 31 or 32 will probably be leaving on a free.

Perhaps we have got more money than anyone is allowing for though, and frugality and normal business sense is a thing of the past for us. Maybe it doesn't matter too much if we overpay for a player who we want and wants to play for us.

If this is a statement of Farhad's commitment to getting the club Champions League football, maybe we will just have to get used to spending big!!!

Tony Dove
64 Posted 25/07/2017 at 10:56:42
Ed @45 – spot on.
Dean Johnson
66 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:06:43
I want this to go the Sissoko way.

Think of Sissoko, Perez, Slimani – all players that we were in for at a massive wedge, all who have proven not to be as good as their price tag suggested.

I like Sigurdsson, but even £45 M is a piss-take. I say move on and spend on a striker instead

Brian Furey
68 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:18:51
I think I've come full circle on this one. I mean last season I was a huge fan of bringing in Gylfi as I felt we had loads of players around central midfield, like Gana and Schneiderlin who were good players but not gonna score us goals or even set up too many. Therefore Sigurdsson would have been a great addition to our team and would have been a certain regular starter.

Now, however, with Klaassen, Rooney and Sandro along with Davies, Lookman and Bolasie to come back, I'm not too sure he would always get his game. I don't think we want to be spending 㿞M on a player who could be like Sissoko was for Spurs last season and not be a regular starter. If he does come, where do people see him playing? Next to Klaassen in a 4-man midfield?

I suppose if I knew the club have got a new top striker lined up and ready to sign, I would feel a lot happier, but I still have my doubts that an exciting summer transfer window could end with only Sandro and Rooney as our main strikers and we'd have to make do with Calvert-Lewin.

However, if Moshiri is happy with us spending another 㿞M on a player who I doubt we'll get any money back on, then by all means bring him in as the lad does set up a lot of goals and scores his fair share too. I just think Klaassen will end up being a much better player for us than Gylfi will as he looks to work harder and run a lot more. At least I hope he will.

Gary Edwards
69 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:19:12
Chris (#68) Sanchez – good shout.

I simply don't see the commercial sense in Sigurdsson at these prices. Marketability – negligible; sell-on value after 3 to 4 years = fuck-all... And would he really make us that much better than the vaunted price tag suggests that we gain a higher Premier League position, make the Champions League, win silverware, and the associated money that come with that? IMO – no.

Why aren't other clubs chasing his signature?

We need to walk away from this charade before it detracts from what has been a very good transfer window to date.

Gordon Crawford
70 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:21:14
Daniel (#22),

I was wondering that myself. Walsh was seen all over Italy, yet nothing to report. I wonder was he scouting up and coming youngsters? Has Walsh actually done much since he has arrived? Just wondering.

If we want Sigurdsson so bad, then just pay the money; if not, move on.

Trevor Peers
71 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:22:20
The transfer market has re-set: 㿞 million is the new going rate for a quality player. Premium quality players go for 㿷 to 䀆 million. 㿀-㿊 million just buys an average Premier League player.

Next season, the price will go up again no doubt.

James Morgan
72 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:27:38
Gordon: "has Walsh done much?"

Well, we've brought in seven first team players and about five for the Under-23s, so yeah I would say he's done a bit.

Christopher Wallace
73 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:32:01
Whether he was worth 㿞m is debatable, and a matter of opinion.

However, his rankings among Premier League midfielders over last 3 seasons:

Goals scored – 2nd
Goal involvement – 2nd
Goal assists – 5th (above Silva)
Free kicks scored – 1st

He's certainly not "average", as some have claimed. He's matured and improved into a quality player.

So what if his stats are inflated from his quality set-pieces – is this not something we've been crying out for for years now?

He also fits the mould of the type of leader that Koeman/Walsh are filling our team with.

We would be better paying 㿔m and loaning them a few youngsters, eg, Dowell and Calvert-Lewin. Not sure if that option has been explored yet...

Gordon Crawford
74 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:34:13
James (#82), do you think Walsh has much say in these players, like Sandro and Klaassen? I'm not so sure.
James Watts
75 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:48:03
Gordon (#82). Not the same, James, but Sandro I'm sure Walsh had a massive say – we all saw the pictures when they went to see him, and I would imagine that would have been after some initial scouting. I very much doubt if Koeman plucked him out of nowhere on his own when the season was still in progress.

Klaassen is certainly more open to debate but hasn't Koeman specifically said a few times that he is there to coach the team – finding players is down to Walsh? It's then down to Walsh to show said player to Koeman to get his buy in? Those latter words have been said by Walsh.

The two I would imagine are pure Koeman signings would be Stekelenburg and Martina because of the previous relationships.

Paul Holmes
77 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:50:12
A poster on here has got it right, Everton got 㿞 million for John Stones so Swansea must think that they can try it on as well!

Sigurdsson is a class intelligent technical player, exactly the right type to gel with Rooney and Klaassen, so imo sell McCarthy to West Brom or Newcastle for 㿀 million... then Sigurdsson only costs 㿊 million. Simples!

Gordon Crawford
78 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:55:20
You're most probably right, folks, but with him travelling around Italy, I just expected more. But fair points.
Kenny Smith
79 Posted 25/07/2017 at 11:57:57
Surely we can use the Arteta money to top up the £45 mil?
Tom Bowers
81 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:04:05
Swansea, like many small clubs, are milking the market and who can blame them? They know Everton want him and they know Everton have the money to spend.

The question is: how desperate are Everton to get him? Decisions, decisions.

Dermot Byrne
82 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:15:00
This guy just seems such a good player according to stats. I would love to get him but we still have need for striker in my head. But I imagine a new team at the top of our club also have that in mind too. I feel more confident of their decision-making than I have felt for decades. We will start the new season incredibly strong in my view.
Andy Walker
83 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:24:45
Walk away, Everton – he's 28 FFS. Couple of seasons left at his best.

We have a load of midfielders. Spend a packet on a new striker instead.

James Watts
84 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:31:56
Ah, don't be too disappointed, Gordon. There were no doubt players Walsh wanted, maybe they were not for sale, maybe too expensive, maybe they didn't want to come, or maybe they may still be being worked on.

We've got some quality players in. Most of them not cheap, granted, but I think he's done a good job up to now. I'm sure Leicester fans may have felt something similar when Kante, Mahrez and others joined too.

Dave Abrahams
85 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:32:03
I think Sigurdsson will be an Everton player shortly but go along with Ed Fitzgerald (#45) as I am a it old fashioned myself and think it is far too much even though the lad will improve the team.

Got to say we are in a much better position than we have been for a very long time, but buying silverware still doesn't fit right with me. I don't think it will stop me cheering when we win some though.

Carl Sanderson
86 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:40:56
Forty-five million is a fair wallop, but it'll be largely offset by the fee for Barkley. Decent business, I reckon.
Dale Rose
87 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:46:33
Sheer madness, keep Davies at all cost, forget Sigurdsson, hes not worth that kind of money and get in a pure striker. With that kind of cash we should get hold of someone who will make a difference.

We relied on Rom far to much when we knew he would go. Get Barkley to sort his shit out or go, he's too inconsistent. We have an army of young players, who will bring this club the honors it deserves.

Barry Jones
88 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:50:50
Exactly Carl. He plays in Barkley's position so its just an "in" and "out" transaction. If Swansea are asking an inflated price for Sigurdsson, so are we for Barkley, then it just boils down to the difference in cash for the total transaction.

If it pans out this way, we will have to wait and see to judge the difference in quality and benefit to the team.

Brian Murphy
89 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:51:15
This looks like it is going to happen but at this price I'm sorry its just crazy. I'm sure Walsh & Koeman have a list and I would going back to that list and kissing this one goodbye.

With all of the signings we have added and they have improved the team no end. BTW, we have added no pace whatsoever. You need to get some players in the squad that will frighten the shit out of teams and we just don't have that right now.

That's why I would love to see them spend this money on Mahrez if it was an option. Sigurdsson is just adding to what we already have in the team in my opinion. We need diversity.

Ian Hollingworth
90 Posted 25/07/2017 at 12:56:00
I don't think Everton can win here. If they want the player and pay 㿞m, it will be deemed too much.

If another club gazumps them then we will moan why did they not just pay the money.

Personally, I think he improves the team so lets go for it.

James Flynn
92 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:04:51
One thing about all this isn't correct, even though it's been said enough times in here that many think it the truth and "proof" we shouldn't sign him at all. And that is that Sigurdsson failed at his first crack in the big-time. That was defined as playing for Spurs.

His first season there we finished above them, remember. What "Big-time" Spurs? His second they finished 5th. That's it. He left because he wasn't getting playing time, which Swans guaranteed.

And Pochettino's feelings about being told the player was sold: Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has said it was a "shame" Gylfi Sigurdsson was sold because the Swansea midfielder would have been "perfect" for his team.

And this: "Every time we meet him and see him he shows his quality not only as a player but as a man," the manager added. "All the people here talk very highly about him.

"It's a shame, but sometimes in football you never know what will happen in the future."

So, the price is what it is. But we're not talking about some also-ran, who failed at a "big-time" club.


Derek Knox
93 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:06:42
What very few people have not mentioned, is what effect is all this having on the player himself. Like many have mentioned already, you can't blame Swansea for wanting the best deal for them, they know deep down, that he will go, so they want the highest offer.

I remember when Baines was linked with Man Utd, and there was so much speculation, will he go, will he stay?

Roll on a couple of years, and yes he did obviously stay, but I don't think he has ever been the same player since.

Which again brings me back to Sigurdsson, we have been chasing him for over a year, not just a few weeks. He has signed a new contract, over a year ago, stating he was happy to stay at Swansea. Roll on a year – we go back for him; okay, he has no say in his transfer fee, but he pulls out of their pre-season, stating that he now wants to come to us. I must admit, I am confused.

Clive Rogers
94 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:14:56
Switch to Mahrez now.
Jon Withey
95 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:15:03
Difference between Sigurdsson and Barkley is that Swansea want to keep Sigurdsson and he doesn't have only one year left on his contract.

I doubt we'll get that £50m back for Barkley – not that it is the end of the world.

James Macdonald
96 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:17:10
Ian (#77), I have long suspected that is the case. Alli will eventually go to help finance the stadium and Ross would be the ideal replacement.

I suspect he is under instructions from Levy to sit tight and wait for the life raft to come in at an opportune time this summer. This may be after we sign Sig as Levy will then use this knowing full well Ross will not be used this season.

I suspect Levy will end up paying 㿀 million – a ridiculous bargain. The board have really dropped a ball in being so complacent with Barkley.

Ed Fitzgerald
97 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:23:26
We don't need more midfielders, FFS – we need a quality forward at the top of their game and every effort and penny should should be directed to that aim. If we don't get someone to replace Lukaku, we are fucked.


Steavey Buckley
98 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:27:29
£45 million is a lot of money for one player when the Everton team urgently needs strengthened in the full back and wing areas of the field even when considering Everton don't yet have a proven goal scorer.

I hope Everton are not going to play through the middle of the field by avoiding the wing areas. Our Liverpool neighbours still look stronger than Everton because they have strengthened those parts of the field.

Chris Gould
99 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:29:35
James (#102),

I agree. Also, he was a 24-year-old without the experience he has now. He is now in his prime and ready to show how good he can be for a top club.

He will be fantastic for us. We're getting him in his prime, and he will put in consistently great performances from the off. Also, he's one of the fittest players in the league and never injured.

Peter Gorman
100 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:39:14
Swansea are now taking the piss – move on or wait for the player to unsettle the dressing room in time-honoured fashion.

ps: Gordon, at the very least Walsh scouted and brought Lookman to the club, great bit of business.

Oliver Molloy
101 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:49:55
Swansea are only doing what we should have done with Lukaku (£100 million or he doesn't move – yeah right!).

Koeman obviously thinks this guy will make a huge difference to Everton so he's going to demand Moshiri buy him. I wonder what we are going to spend on a striker!

Kieran Kinsella
102 Posted 25/07/2017 at 13:57:08
So much for our Italian scout who said we were going to sign every inhabitant of Milan plus Olivier Giroud. I wonder if he was even a scout or just some chancer who met Steve Walsh on his holiday.
Tom Bowers
103 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:03:40
Let's look at it this way. He's 28 and may have 2 top class years ahead of him as a goalscoring midfielder... so is 㿞 million good business for Everton?

Man Utd thought Rooney wasn't worth keeping at 30 and yet Everton got him for free. Okay, Rooney has been arguably a far better performer than Gylfi over the years and may be the wrong one to compare him with but I question whether Gylfi can still be scoring regularly in 2 years and so the question still remains: Is 㿞 million a good investment on a 28-year-old for the short term.

James Hughes
104 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:04:03
Swansea probably see Sig. as a player that will keep them in the Premier League and guarantee them a £120 million pay-packet.

That could possibly be the reason they don't want to let him go on the cheap. If all the stats being bandied about then he has been key to keeping them up. So £50m will get them 2/3 decent players to cover his absence.

James Morgan
105 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:07:16
Gordon, I think the idea is Koeman identifies the talent and Walsh goes all out to get them. He's the director of football, that's his job. Plus, he will have scouts across Europe looking for youngsters and bargains using various stats etc.

As for Sigurdsson, everyone is banging on about the fee, has anyone seen the Unibet video that compares his stats to other PL players and players round Europe. They stand up to the best. His stats outshine Coutinho but I bet if he went for 㿨m or more no one would say it's shit value.

Get the guy, he's worth it.

Drew O'Neall
106 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:07:38
Should get them to throw in Llorente!
Neil Wood
107 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:09:18
David Barks
108 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:12:35
Tom,

In what world is a player spent by the age of 30? He's 27 now, which is usually the age a player enters his prime. Do you realize that Hazard is 26? Do you think he only has three years left? Aguero is 29, is he washed up?

Alexis Sanchez is 28, Vidal is 30, Messi is 30, Ronaldo 32, Ozil 28. Would anyone say no to those players because of their age? Age is not the issue here. He's got many years left.

Terence Tyler
109 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:13:03
Tom @ 114,

Sigurdsson is 27 and Rooney is 31. After 3 years service, Sigurdsson will still be only 30 and have a good sell-on value, if we decide to upgrade.

James Macdonald
110 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:26:10
If we get pushed over here, then we are going to get taken to the cleaners on every transfer going forwards a la Man City, except we don't have an oil rich nation state behind us. So that both sides save face we need to offer them something significant but not meet their asking price. I would think there are squad players at Everton they would be very interested to take on loan for a year.

I personally fear Klaassen is going to take the spot of Tom Davies and I would wager Swansea would jump at the chance of taking him for a season. From the point of view of Tom's development, a season of first team football as opposed to being a rotation player may be more satisfactory.

Certainly if this saga becomes drawn out towards deadline day and Tom is not 1st XI at that stage, then this makes sense. I wonder if they might be interested in Niasse, Besic, Jagielka as alternatives. I don't think we should offer McCarthy as he should secure a really solid sale fee.

Jay Harris
111 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:30:03
Kieran that is a good point.

I was wondering myself what the purpose of the "Italian trip" was As we don't seem to have done anything to follow up.

Matt Muzi
112 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:41:22
I'd like us to sign Sigurdsson, but 㿞 mill makes me a little uneasy. For that money I'd rather we went in for Mahrez if I'm being honest.

I don't blame Swansea for sticking to their guns, they know we want Sigurdsson, he's contracted to them & up until he pulled out of their pre-season tour I'd say they were in the driving seat.

It's now a case of either going back to them if we have made a 㿙 mill offer for him that they have turned down, with the focus on getting him in asap. Or playing the waiting game & taking the chance on them backing down, or him putting in a transfer request.

That leaves the chance come 2nd September he's still at Swansea though. I suppose it depends who else we're looking at.

Harry Wallace
113 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:46:49
㿞m is too much for me. Let Walsh find 2 gems with that money.
Denis Richardson
114 Posted 25/07/2017 at 14:56:02
If we've been willing to go up to 㿙m so far, can't see the club not biting the bullet and offering 㿞m. This will get done.

Huge fee but it's a new world.

Christopher Wallace
115 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:08:16
Gylfi doesn't rely on pace, yet few idiots on here claiming he only has 2 years left at the top...
Alan J Thompson
116 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:13:00
Time to call this off. Surely we don't believe that any success depends on signing this player. For that money there must be a couple of top class South Americans yet to make Europe. Do we even have anyone scouting there or do we still find work permits too hard to get being a non-London club.
Ajay Gopal
117 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:36:14
James (#111) – excellent and sensible suggestion. Give them Tom and/or Dowell for the season and let him flourish there. With the Sigurdsson money, hopefully Swansea will get a couple of experienced players who, together with Tom keep them up. Win-win for everybody.
Aidy Dews
118 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:41:05
According to sports journalists in Wales and close to the club, the bid was 㿔m and it's our first official bid. They expect us to go back in and get a deal done for around 㿙m plus add-ons. They all believe it'll happen and it's a matter of when not if!

I really like Sigurdsson and think he will help to improve us and yeah, 㿙-50m is not a steal but it's the way the market as gone with the money in the game these days! Look at Man City, they're still spending 㿞m on defensive players to improve the team and, to keep up, we need to spend big amounts to try and help us get better.

James Morgan
119 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:44:01
Alan (#117), do you mean like Lamela and Veron who haven't/didn't cut it in the Premier League?

Sure, there are some like Coutinho who Liverpool took a chance on for ٦m and it paid off but we want ready-made Premier League talent who can hit the ground running.

I don't care if we pay 㿞m, if he comes in and does the job he has done at Swansea, but in a better side, then I'm all for it.

Matthew Williams
120 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:47:48
Use the 㿞 million on Mahrez instead, the Swans are dragging this shit out... fuck 'em, any spare change left should be spent on the lad Marshall from Sheffield Utd.

All that's then left is a really pacy forward who can bags us the goals & doesn't sulk big time!

Chris Corn
121 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:52:19
Can't understand anyone who thinks Davies is not part of the manager's plans in the short-term. He is a massive part of the squad.

We have to have a good-sized squad to manage four competitions so why does the arrival of one player automatically mean one of our best prospects will be farmed out as a makeweight, especially to Swansea!

Dennis Ng
122 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:57:44
Please tell me we're sneaking in another creative midfielder for a sane price while playing hardball with Swansea.

I would agree that 㿞m is worth it IF Neymar and Mbappe goes for the quote price but it isn't sound business to go after just one player so desperately.

Jason Broome
123 Posted 25/07/2017 at 15:58:38
There are other options. Sometimes our club can be so blind. He's not worth 㿞 Million!

Get Mahrez and Dembele for a combined 㿨 Million and loan a bench-warming play-maker from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, etc.

When Swansea get relegated, we'll pick him up on the cheap.

Franny Porter
124 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:00:19
Give Swansea Tom Davies!!!

Ridiculous shout!

Aidy Dews
125 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:03:41
Oliver Molloy (#102), Spot on! People talking about "We're getting taken to the cleaners... they're taking the mick wanting that... he's not worth it so let's move on" clearly don't remember all the summers where we've demanded top whack for our players when the big clubs come calling!

The shoe is on the other foot now and we're looking to push on and spend big so clubs like Swansea are testing our resolve and putting big price tags on their players' heads to see if we're serious enough about spending big and taking other clubs' best players.

Koeman and Walsh rate him very highly. Walsh has watched him since his Leicester days and it's why Leicester have been interested this summer. They will know him inside out and know exactly what he'll bring to the team and that is why they will be prepared to pay big bucks for him!

Paul Holmes
126 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:12:57
You're all missing the point – our manager has got 2 years left on his contract,... he wants his players now!

He's not bothered if the players he wants are sold for less money when he might not be here. The time for Everton is now – buy him for 㿞 million and let's get Everton back for the next two years at least!

Tony Everan
127 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:13:23
Apparently we still want discussions over the fee. Ronnie wants him, full stop.

Offer another ٣m in add-ons dependent upon us qualifying for the Champions League.

If we achieve that, they get the full 㿞 million. Not many Blues will begrudge it then.

Tony McNulty
128 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:26:40
Part of the trouble here is that the player signed a five year contract pretty recently, when he must have known that he could be moving on (it was only late in the day that Swansea avoided relegation).

Some of the above suggestions (e.g. Tom Davies) as a way out of the impasse are getting a little far fetched. So I'll suggest two of my own. The first is: offer Niasse in part exchange. If that doesn't work then we move to that scene from the Godfather involving Michael Corleone. It would appeal to Bill's theatrical side.

There he sits in his office saying. "You can have my answer now, Swansea. My offer is this: Nothing. And I would appreciate if you would pay for his salary out of your own personal pocket."

Don't thank me anyone. All part of the service.

Richard Reeves
129 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:28:35
I still think we should be going for two out-and-out strikers. I can't believe there's no talk of us going for Dembele. In today's market, his valuation is a bargain. A big strong centre-forward who's good in the air and scores all sorts of goals from tap-ins to longer-range curlers and headers.

He's the sort of centre-forward who would offer us something different and, if we signed someone like Giroud, then we would have two completely different types of strikers who could change the way we play. We could get both and have 㾶 million in change with the Sigurdsson money.

Aidy Dews
130 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:30:43
Are some people for real, "there is better out there, better and cheaper options...", "let's wait till Swansea get relegated and then he'll be cheaper..."!

Koeman wants him now, he doesn't want South Americans on the cheap who may fail miserably, he wants a tried and trusted Premier League player that's done the business, season-in & season-out.

I'd like to know who they think is out there that's better, cheaper and getable who can play in the positions that Sigurdsson does and come in and do the business from the off?!

John G Davies
131 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:32:11
Harry 㿞 million is too much for me also. I would have to work 7 x 12 hour shifts a week until I was 793 years of age to pay that.

Good job it's not our money that will pay for Sigurdsson.

Paul Kossoff
132 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:34:01
He's not worth it; if he was that good, he wouldn't be at Swansea.

Get Mr Magic Fingers Walsh off his overpaid fat arse to get the much vaunted treasures, hidden gems that he's been recruited to bring in.

I don't class mega million pound signings as him doing anything more than the average fan saying, "Oh, I would like him in our side, he's proven class!" Do your job Walsh, because so far you're not!

David Barks
133 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:39:26
Paul,

What are you on about? Because he's at Swansea he isn't that good?

So, I guess Sadio Mane is garbage since he was at Southampton? Pickford must be a real piece of trash since we got him from Sunderland?? That Keane, must be a useless player we signed as well???

Baines must have been shite all these years since we took him from Wigan. And Coleman, he wasn't even in the English Football League.

You're absolutely right. The club a player is at is 100% an accurate gauge as to their ability. What idiots Spurs must have been for signing Gareth Bale all those years ago. Great contribution and sound logic on your part.

Jay Harris
134 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:40:54
Jason,

Leicester are looking for 㿞m for Mahrez and I doubt Celtic would let Dembele go for 㿀m despite the paper talk.

Dowell is not far off Mahrez and is better defensively but far enough off that if we have top 4 ambition we should go for the likes of Mahrez, Lanzini etc.

John G Davies
135 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:47:19
David, (#134),

I took it that Paul was being sarcastic?

Surely that is not a genuine post.

Steve Ferns
136 Posted 25/07/2017 at 16:55:47
Steve Walsh getting criticism on here? Wow, I cannot believe this. He's been very active and productive. We've signed a load of players, both first team and U23s.

Now, Walsh's job is not to sign everyone he wants to, Koeman must also agree, certainly for first team players. So maybe now we are down to the last couple of players, as stated by Koeman, it's a bit more difficult. We are a bit off Sigurdsson's valuation, and that's why that has stalled, as we cannot just force Swansea to drop their price overnight. As for the expected striker, there must be lots of negotiating going on with various players. No doubt the scouting and selecting of targets is done and it's a question of agreeing a price, which may be contingent on how much we have left to spend after completing Sigurdsson.

If I was Koeman, I would not sign Sigurdsson. However, despite this, if I was Everton Chairman and Koeman said he wanted him, and I told Koeman the price and that this only left 㿀m or maybe 㿊m for a striker, do you still want to go ahead and he said yes, then I would sign him. The board must back the manager with all available funds. If we cannot afford him, we say no. Otherwise it's the manager's decision, that's what we pay him for and we trust his judgement. If we do not trust the manager, then we, the board, should get rid of him. Luckily, we are not on the board and it is not our decision!

Christopher Wallace
137 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:13:08
Steve (#137),

Don't worry, some people struggle to grasp the fact that Steve Walsh is not an Everton scout.

Christopher Wallace
138 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:15:55
With Steve Walsh as Director of Football, I very much like the direction our football appears to be heading.
Ray Roche
139 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:17:13
Paul Kossoff (#133):
"Do your job Walsh, because so far you're not!"

Utter garbage. Unless, of course, you have the inside track of all that goes on at Finch Farm, Goodison Park etc.

"Get Mr Magic Fingers Walsh off his over-paid fat arse"

You clearly have a much closer acquaintance with Walsh's arse than most people. I didn't realise it was fat. Or over-paid. Tell me, is his arse on a different pay scale to the rest of his body?

It's never a good idea to get pissed in the afternoon and then come on ToffeeWeb spouting shite. So don't do it again, Paul.

Christopher Wallace
140 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:21:45
People point to the fruitless trip to Italy as a Walsh failure.

Well there hasn't exactly been a plethora of Italian players that have set the Premier League alight.

Serie A is going through a renaissance, and is arguably the most exciting league in Europe.

Inter, AC with new money, whiles Roma, Juve, and Napoli all quality teams, who are competitive in the market.

Are AC's and Napoli's cast-offs good enough for Everton? Zaza, a regular international for Italy, and fringe player at Juve, went to West Ham recently. Scored fuck-all goals.

Jason Broome
141 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:39:02
Jay

Mahrez was the Player of the Season and a huge reason why Leicester won the Premier League. If we have top 4 ambitions we need to be targeting the players that Arsenal, Spurs etc want. A player proven to step up when required.

Dowell is good and will have a breakthrough season but nowhere near Player of the Season standard. With 3 cup competitions and 38 league games we need depth and Dowell will provide that.

Mahrez is unsettled and will probably go for 㿔 Million if there isn't a bidding war. He is exactly what we need to carve open defenses and create chances for Klaassen, Rooney, Sandro, Dembele (hopefully), Lookman, etc.

Dembele looks like the next big thing after Lukaku. His finishing, presence, speed, heading, positional play reminds me of Lukaku when he first arrived. He also has the right character for his age (21) and he is a pain in the arse for defenders on a consistent basis. He played well for Fulham but at 19 was expected to carry a relegation-fighting team. A little unfair in my opinion.

Why are we targeting players who are nearing the end of their careers with no sell-on value when this kid has matured to a standard worthy of a chance?

I have changed my mind about Walsh but I think this endless chasing of Sigurdsson is absurd and tiresome. If we have 㿞 Million then let's try and buy one of Tielemans, Kessie, Lemar, etc and use the rest of the money to buy a quality young striker.

Gordon Crawford
142 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:42:11
All good points guys. :)
Mark Taylor
143 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:43:38
I agree with #137. The bottom line is that there will a limit to the net spend we can sanction from this position. That is hopefully known by Walsh and Koeman. You then have to largely delegate the decisions on what you get to them.

So if there is 㿼m left, and Sigurdsson is 㿞m of that, Walsh/Koeman need to make sure there is a viable target for the other positions (and it is multiple) that we are lacking, within that budget.

And if it needs player sale(s) to raise extra money, that we actually have a chance of selling for the budgetted price (eg, I don't think we have actually had any bid for Barkley)

The only matter for the board to consider is where, as with Sigurdsson, we can expect a very modest re-sale value. He may have a good 4-5 years left at the top level, but he won't be worth much when his contract expires.

I can imagine Koeman seeing more positives in this deal (instant, hit the ground running player) than the board who face a near guaranteed write off of close to 㿞m.

So I hope our management have a back up plan to Sigurdsson, because you do not want to be in a negotiation without one. You must be willing to walk away and the other side must believe you might.

That might focus the minds a bit more because I doubt Swansea will want the disgruntled player they are likely to get if it doesn't go through, much as we are facing with Barkley at present (and I think right now we would have to accept a cut price deal for him).

Neil Thomas
144 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:44:11
Paul (#133),

What...? Lookman, Sandro, Pickford, Keane, Klaassen – not to mention all the new recruits in the U23s – are a waste of money, are they?

Put a value of how much profit we could make off them in 3 years time and then say Walsh is a waste of time. Those players alone with go into the 𧴜s of millions

James Marshall
145 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:45:49
Basically, from what I'm reading, talks are ongoing – this is nothing new, and nothing out of the ordinary. People need to relax a bit and just let the clubs get on with it. You appear to be reacting to the paper-talk and getting your knickers in a twist over nothing.

Swansea set the price, Everton haggle, and eventually they do a deal. Simple really.

John G Davies
146 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:47:34
Jason (#142)

Sigurdsson had more assists than Mahrez last season.

Jeremy Jansen
147 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:50:51
I'd do a straight swap for him with Barkley going the other way. We both want 㿞m for our respective players... Call it good.
Jason Broome
148 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:51:27
John (#147),

Mahrez won the Premier League and Player of the Year.

Christopher Wallace
149 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:58:15
Jason (#159),

Mahrez clearly has ability. However, we are filling the team with model young pros, and mature (not old, but peak) leaders, which can only be a good thing.

Mahrez can be exciting, but doesn't really fit the mould. Walsh clearly knows him well, yet no approaches from Everton – that speaks volumes, in my opinion.

James Marshall
150 Posted 25/07/2017 at 17:58:50
Over the course of the last three Premier League seasons, only four players have racked up more assists than Sigurdsson:

● Cesc Fabregas (37), Mesut Ozil (33), Christian Eriksen (30), Kevin De Bruyne (27)… and Sigurdsson (26).

● Since he made his Premier League debut (2011), Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored more free-kick goals than any other player;

● Sigurdsson covered more distance in the Premier League than any other player in 2016-17;

● Only one player scored more goals against the Premier League's top six last season than Sigurdsson (Sigurdsson 5; Vardy 6);

● Sigurdsson provided more assists from dead-ball situations than any other player in the Premier League last season;

● Sigurdsson was involved in 48.9% of Swansea's goals last season;

● Sigurdsson is both Swansea's leading scorer (34) and assister (29) in Premier League history

He's extremely consistent, one of the key things that makes a very good footballer, and one of the key things we've not had for years.

John Raftery
151 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:01:09
Wrong age, wrong price, wrong player. It would be so easy at present for the club to meet Swansea's price but, while the player will improve the squad, he is not of the calibre to take us into the top four. I agree with those who question where he will fit into the team.
James Marshall
152 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:03:51
John – he played in 7 different positions for Swansea last season, so you can fit him in anywhere you like!

Why on earth is 27 the wrong age?!

David Barks
153 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:10:03
Give me established talent over "promising" youth every single day. Of all these Under-23s we're buying, we'll be lucky if two of them make the grade at the senior level with us.

Don't believe me? Just look at the track record of how many Academy players we have vs how many become first team regulars.

A player being 27 is not old, it's entering their prime. Those are the best years a player will have. He's at the perfect age.

Brent Stephens
154 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:15:37
27 is the wrong age? Staggered at that suggestion!
James Marshall
155 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:23:33
Lacazette 26
Kyle Walker 27
Danilo 26
Arnautovic 28
Javier Hernandez 29

Players off the top of my head that are all between 26 and 29. You need a blend of ages throughout your team/squad.

James Marshall
156 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:23:57
Players that have been bought into the Premier League this season, I mean.
John G Davies
157 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:31:45
He did, Jason, two seasons ago.

I think I'm right in saying Siggurdson had more assists than him that season as well.

Christopher Wallace
158 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:32:48
John (#152),

I'd love to hear the reasoning behind your assertions, if it's not too much to ask?

Ciarán McGlone
159 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:42:43
The fact that this has become a bunfight between opposing opinions of Sigurdsson speaks volumes.. You would think that Everton spending 㿞 mill on a Number 10 would be a matter for universal rejoicing. Both sides have produced valid pros and cons.. but it's irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

If we buy him, so be it – but I fear that it'll be a long time before we spend another 㿞 mill on that position.

Can I also appeal for people to stop calling him "Siggy". Please.

Dermot Byrne
160 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:44:06
Sigurdsson to me just seems an expensive no-brainer surely. With hopefully some great new non-headline-making players, this is a great balance. I think it would be so great to see a free-kick goal regularly. Admit it... we love those goals and even Sky have to show them!

Funny how Ross has become less of an issue now. 12 months ago, we would have reacted in the same way as the current nonsense re Davies going. Now? Is anyone really bothered?

Jesus, this is a steep upward climb for the club. I also think Koeman may now have a team that understand his tactics and won't run back to what Moyes or Martinez told, or maybe didn't, tell them.

John G Davies
161 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:46:06
Apologies, Jason.

I just checked: Mahrez was well ahead in assists two seasons ago.

He wasn't in the top 20 last season though.

Michael Burke
162 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:46:17
Just out of interest, I looked up the average retirement age of professional footballers: 35.
David Hallwood
163 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:52:37
Why's that, Ciaràn? Have you just quit smoking and you'd kill for a Siggy...???
James Marshall
164 Posted 25/07/2017 at 18:53:48
It's a fallacy that players are finished as soon as they're 30, surely everyone knows that these days? Countless players are still world class well into their thirties and have been for years.

I don't understand where people get this idea from. Yes, perhaps 20 or 30 years ago, but not for a very long time as it held any weight.

Dave Williams
165 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:01:57
For those saying with Gylfi in the team we would lack width and pace, we have Kev, Aaron, Lookman and Bolasie( once fit) plus Sandro who can play wide and come in.

I haven't seen enough of Gylfi to form a view but 㿞m seems an awful lot to me when we need a striker- or does Ron think we can get by?

Fascinating stuff but, like Dave Abrahams and a couple of others,I think we must keep and blood the youngsters and not get too carried away with the fact that we have cash in our pockets.

Neil Thomas
166 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:05:42
James (#150),

Also, of all those players you mentioned having better stats than Sigurdsson – Ozil, Erikson and De Bruyne – I'm pretty sure you'll be lucky to get one of them for under 㿞m, with Eriksen costing approx 㿨M and De Bruyne 㿲-80M.

So really, 㿞m for a 27-year-old with his record is about the going rate.

Frank Crewe
167 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:08:39
Carian @ 159,

"But I fear that it'll be a long time before we spend another 㿞 mill on that position."

Based on what? For all we know, they may spend that much or more next season.

James Marshall
168 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:12:38
Neil @166

Absolutely right. He's just under those players by stats, and just under them in value. 㿞m for Sigurdsson in this market is exactly the right price in my view too.

The market has changed massively in the last 12 months, which is blatantly reflected in the fees paid recently. Kyle Walker for 㿞m being a case in point.

Neil Thomas
169 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:13:40
Agreed, James (#168).

How many people on here would turn down the chance to sign Ronaldo at his age or Messi also over 30?

I would be happy to take last season's Juventus back 5 and there age must add up to our whole team. At 27 he ain't even hit his peak.

Look at Rooney's record the season he was 27.

Sean Roberts
170 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:14:17
Come on, people – let's leave the footballing decisions up to the people that are paid to make them.

If Koeman, Walsh and Moshri want this to happen I believe it is going to happen and we will all enjoy watching him this season. If they don't value him that highly they will move on and we will all cheer somebody else on in his position.

There really is no point in any of us discussing whether or not we should raise our offer!!! Anyway onwards and upwards blues and here is to a great season ahead. Not had optimism like this since the 80's !!!!

Neil Thomas
171 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:19:10
Especially, James, when Man City pay just under 㿊m for a reserve defender — or the crap West Ham are bringing in.
Neil Thomas
172 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:23:56
You're right, Frank. The way it's going with the TV rights at the moment, we could be bringing in a 𧴜m Number 10 within the next 3 years.
James Marshall
173 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:24:01
The average age of the players West Ham have bought this year, is 29.8.
Neil Thomas
174 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:27:48
Yeah, James and look at them.

I heard David Gold today going on about West Ham going for it this year... well, with what they have bought, I'm pretty sure Everton fans are a lot happier than theirs!

Neil Thomas
175 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:40:27
Just seen some fans are wanting us to drop interest in Sigurdsson and go for Renato Sanches. So I'm presuming that they don't watch German football, because he's a central midfielder – not a Number 10.
Barry McNally
176 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:41:08
Re West Ham, Bilic will be gone by the end of October.
Christopher Wallace
177 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:42:27
James (#168),

Exactly. It's okay to say that a player has been injury-prone, relies on pace, etc, may start to decline when he hits 30.

Gylfi is easily one of the fittest player in the league. He has been on a big upward curve the last few years, and every reason to believe that this can continue at a club like ours.

In my opinion, his best qualities are his footballing brain, leadership qualities, passing, shooting, crossing, dead-ball ability.

He is an intelligent footballer, with elite-level technique. Anyone saying that he only has 2 or 3 years left are, quite frankly, stupid.

Steve Foster
178 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:44:09
Sean (#170),

Bang on there, mate!

Dermot Byrne
179 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:54:55
Agree, Sean (#170) but I suspect you may get shit for pointing out the "raison d'être" of much of footy forums in the close season.

So I guess we just plod on eh.

Anyway... footy starts soon. Thank god.

William Cartwright
180 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:55:24
Watching the YouTube clips, I was excited by the forward movement of Sandro, and very pleased to see the quality of his assist for Rooney against Genk. Similarly, I have been amazed at the skills shown by Sigurdsson and he seems to tick all the boxes for a creative playmaker in the final third.

Ross's clips have a similar impact too, so what's the difference?

Well, for one reason or another, he wants away... and, if reports are true, Gylfi wants to join. Also, Ron and Steve want him, so it should be a good move. I hope we can get it done.

The big forward for me should be Dolberg; if not, Giroud. Dolberg would have more future but Giroud more instant impact in the shorter term.

I've mentioned on other posts about the young Scottish lad Ryan Gauld but he seems to have dropped under the radar after going to Portugal. He may be worth a punt?

Lee Jackson
181 Posted 25/07/2017 at 19:58:12
Possibly the truest and most realistic piece of text on here, Sean (170)... but then I would have nothing to read while I'm bored at work — so please keep those 'should we/shouldn't we' comments coming!
Christopher Wallace
182 Posted 25/07/2017 at 20:00:36
William,

Few good points there. I would love Ross to succeed, and he has all the physical attributes needed, I just don't think he'll ever have the mentality to make the next few steps up.

One thing to add – Gylfi is also effective defensively, and isn't afraid of putting a tackle in.

Ken Williams
183 Posted 25/07/2017 at 20:13:03
Pity no team is chasing Barkley enough to throw an offer on the table. Anything up to 㿞 mill will offset the final sum for Sigurdsson.
Christopher Wallace
184 Posted 25/07/2017 at 20:20:22
Clive (#183),

I don't understand the comparison. Was Mirallas ever a consistently good player? If he was, do you put his decline down to age, or lack or intelligence and application? Is Mirallas anywhere near as technically sound as Gylfi? Does Mirallas have 50% of the fitness/endurance levels as Gylfi?

Brian Cleveland
185 Posted 25/07/2017 at 20:28:53
Siggys are too expensive these days, time to give up... taxi!
Mark Taylor
186 Posted 25/07/2017 at 22:19:27
Just to clarify a few misconceptions here, I don't think anyone is saying that Sigurdsson is near the end of his career, on the contrary, he may be entering the zenith of his career and certainly has at least 5 years or more left.

The issue is the commercial one. At the end of that period- or frankly,, by the time he is 30, he will have very low resale vale, way less than 㿞m (in real terms). Ronaldo might be worth 𧴜m at 30 plus but that is because he does make commercial sense in terms of the commercial value he adds, however there are a tiny handful of players in that category, and we are certainly not in the market for them and Sigurdsson is most certainly not in that category.

So it might make sense as a footballing decision but not from a commercial/financial one and ideally you want any transfer to make sense for both.

James Marshall
187 Posted 25/07/2017 at 22:32:05
Why does anyone care about resale value? Supporters simply turn on players when they want to leave anyway calling them every name under the sun!!

Fickle doesn't come close!

The market dictates prices, it doesn't matter how old players are, or what they cost.

Chris Leyland
188 Posted 25/07/2017 at 22:40:19
James Marshall – I'm with you on re-sale value. Some players are bought for the future and as investments and some are bought for the now. Sigurdsson is very much for the now.
Sam Hoare
189 Posted 25/07/2017 at 22:43:26
James @190, they care because its the difference between having 𧴜m to spend on new players and having nothing.

Player sale money is often put back into transfers so most fans would rather a player you could sell for vast money towards the end of their time (as in Lukaku) over someone who will be worth very little, which would be the case with Sigurdsson.

I don't think Sigurdsson is going to make the difference between us coming 4th or 7th. I don't think his abilities are what the team needs most now. I don't think he is the best player we could get for 㿞m. I don't think he is good enough from open play.

I do think we are going to buy him and I will adore him once that comes to pass.

Mike Keating
190 Posted 25/07/2017 at 22:54:54
Great how we moan in the pub about greedy players costing a fortune (agents taking their cut) and obscene wages... and the next minute, it's not our money so fuck it and splash the cash.

He is not worth 㿞M and the resale value is important. If we don't buy, who is queuing up? Go elsewhere or get Wayne to show Barkley how to play.

Alex Rowe
191 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:04:04
I have said it before, for that money I would be going for Mahrez hands down. By far the better player, in my opinion. Exactly the player we need and only 26. Leicester have supposedly set an an asking price of 㿞M. While Gylfi is a good player, he is worth nowhere near that.
Tony Everan
192 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:04:25
Sam,

Possibly he gives us two fantastic seasons, then goes to Real Madrid or PSG etc for 㿏 million aged 29.

Unlikely but a possibility that makes the fee more palatable...

Mike Keating
193 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:04:44
Of course, when he rips the RS to shreds in both derbies, destroys them in the FA Cup semi-final and takes us to 'the next level', I will deny having said any of this.
Christopher Wallace
194 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:05:59
Sam (#189),

He has out-performed the majority of top 4/6 midfielders in all offensive categories over the last 3 seasons (2nd behind Eriksen in goal involvement).

He also performs very well against top 6 sides, in a poor Swansea team. He hasn't played with above-average "open-play" attackers in a long time. His ball delivery made Llorente look world class at times.

I respect your opinion. Who do you think will give us a better chance of cracking that top 4?

Brian Hennessy
195 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:34:17
If Sigurdsson played for a much bigger English club than Swansea, or a Spanish or Italian outfit – with his stats and past performances, we would think €50 Million was justified in today's market.

Just pay the money and get him in. Then turn our attention to a striker.

Andrew James
196 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:38:34
For me, this is a No.

Put this in context – we would be spending nearly two thirds of the Lukaku money? I am a critic of our former striker with his role in our team meaning the chances all went to him and it became bottle-necked but are we really going to part with 㿙 million to buy this guy?

Swansea have been an average to poor side for 2 or 3 seasons now and Sigurdsson hasn't dragged them up from that and it's easier to score consolation goals or create them when the pressure is off and the opponents are relaxing. I'm not saying he's a bad player, he clearly isn't. But I don't expect us to pay these fees for a player who is nearly 28 and played for a side nailed-on for relegation most of last season.

Lastly, we've been comparing Ross with Sigurdsson for months. One gets to take all the set-pieces. The other has several other talented players to fight it out with. One is 4 years younger and he plays for us. I would rather Koeman sort out his relationship with that player than spend 㿙 million.

Christopher Wallace
197 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:41:13
Alex (#191),

Have you noticed the type of players that Koeman and Walsh are filling the team with at present?

Walsh knows Mahrez well. Have you asked yourself why he hasn't been anywhere near him this window?

Building a team isn't always about obtaining those with most ability. Mahrez is good – so were Nasri, Payet, Robinho, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Depay, Martial, etc... for a year or two.

Attitude, professionalism, application, team ethics, willingness to adapt/improve, effort – I'm not sure any of these apply to Mahrez.

James Marshall
198 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:47:11
What you're buying is consistency – stuff resale value, sometimes you have to buy players for the here & now, and if we get 4 good seasons out of him for 㿞m it's good business.

For years we've complained about us not spending high fees on players, and now we are, people are still complaining.

We've spent some money, and we've recouped some on Lukaku – we have plenty of TV money like everyone else – spend it!

Christopher Wallace
199 Posted 25/07/2017 at 23:50:00
Andrew (#196),

"Lastly, we've been comparing Ross with the Sigg for months. One gets to take all the set pieces. The other has several other talented players to fight it out with."

Gylfi "gets to take all the set pieces" because he is the best set-piece taker in the league, and by quite some distance.

Who are these other talented set-piece takers that Ross has had to contend with? Bainesy been decent over the years, without being outstanding. I'd love to hear the other "talented" names you're throwing into this mix...


James Watts
200 Posted 26/07/2017 at 01:08:44
Just scanning through the comments and don't normally go in for name-calling but Paul Kossoff (#132).

You seem tell bent on bashing Walsh. And not for the first time. Why? Have you not seen the business we've done this window for both the first XI and U23s? And during January?

Don Alexander
201 Posted 26/07/2017 at 01:10:48
I've been impressed by Sigurdsson, not only for Swansea but also for Iceland. To me, if Europe were to play South America Sigurdsson has earned a place in a 22 man squad. That's how good I think he is. He's like Iniesta, a craftsman par excellence, and with better players around him he and they will thrive.

So, no pressure on me then if we sign him! Ha-ha!

James Flynn
202 Posted 26/07/2017 at 01:44:10
A wonderful player. Perfect for us.

Mahrez?

Other than the first half of Leicester's title-winning season, what has he done?

He's been figured out since then and will be as long as he stays in the Prem. Please no.

I'm all in on Sigurdsson. But if that doesn't happen, let's look elsewhere rather than Mahrez.

Gavin Johnson
203 Posted 26/07/2017 at 01:45:17
Just to get some perspective. Bayern have made Renato Sanches available for £43m.
Barry Jones
204 Posted 26/07/2017 at 01:53:07
David (#153). I don't always agree with you but I certainly do on this one.
James Wong
205 Posted 26/07/2017 at 02:21:21
This is really stupid.

I would have begrudingly handed over £30m pounds for Sigurdsson, but he's not worth £40m, let alone £50m.

At £50m, you're expecting someone who's 22-23, who's got his future ahead of him that you can sell off later if you need to. Sigurdsson is already 28 and no-one is going to pay anything remotely like that in 2 years time.

I hope Everton are just playing with Swansea right now, and go find somebody else just as good for half the price.

Nicholas Ryan
206 Posted 26/07/2017 at 02:32:42
1. There was a very thoughtful piece on the BBC website recently, on the subject of Sigurdsson, by Pat Nevin; who presumably knows a bit about football. His conclusion: Pay them whatever it takes, he's the real deal.

2.The price of an item is largely irrelevant, if you can afford to buy it; and it seems we can.

3. How old was Manchester United's top scorer last season? Clue: He was 8 years older than Sigurdsson, and 4 years older than Rooney.

Phil Sammon
207 Posted 26/07/2017 at 02:37:34
It's simple for me. He really is the missing link that we've been missing for years. 㿞M is a joke... but if that's what it takes to get him then we should do it. He doesn't rely on pace. We'll get 5 top quality years out of him, minimum.

Do it!

Sam Hoare
208 Posted 26/07/2017 at 02:40:33
Chris @194, His set-pieces are very good and Swansea (unlike us) were well set up to take advantage of that.

I'm not sure there is any one player who would single-handledly propel us into top 4 but I'd be looking to buy the next big thing in the hope that they would develop along with our other youngsters into a team capable of pushing into the Champions League over the next 2-4 years. I'd be pushing for players like Thomas Lemar, Balde Diao, Lanzini, Felipe Anderson, Max Meyer, Emil Forsberg.

Many of those wouldn't come yet and that's possibly why we are pursuing Sigurdsson but I personally feel we will be spending a lot to improve our team a little in the short term when that money might possibly buy someone who could propel our team a lot further over the long term.

Will Mabon
209 Posted 26/07/2017 at 03:07:24
"The price of an item is largely irrelevant, if you can afford to buy it."

You won't find one wealthy person on the planet that would say that, about even a pair of socks.

Will Mabon
210 Posted 26/07/2017 at 03:14:39
Sam, I share your general lack of enthusiasm for Sigurdsson.

He's a competent, tidy player for sure. I rather think some on here though, are envisioning an attacking impact more in the realm of a Hazard or similar.

In my opinion, should he come to the club, I feel there'll be disappointment.

Phil Sammon
211 Posted 26/07/2017 at 03:32:51
Will,

He's nothing like Hazard. I don't think I've seen anyone insinuating that. He's a very creative player and an incisive passer. If you make the run, he will find you. His wonderful set-pieces are a giant bonus.

James Watts
213 Posted 26/07/2017 at 03:36:21
Gavin (#203). Renato Sanches is a central midfielder so has little bearing on Sigurdsson's value as they play in different positions. It'd be like saying we can buy Giroud for £30m so why are we trying to get Sigurdsson for £50m?
Will Mabon
214 Posted 26/07/2017 at 04:19:16
Phil, I said attacking impact, to mean the extent to which he will impact upon our attacking play – not that he was the same player as Hazard.
David Currie
215 Posted 26/07/2017 at 06:31:36
If he is so good, why are only Leicester City and us showing any interest? None of the top 6 want him and no interest from top Spanish or Italian clubs.
James Watts
216 Posted 26/07/2017 at 06:58:11
David (#215). Because most of those sides wouldn't see him as an integral part of their teams and wouldn't be prepared to spend so much money on I would imagine. Where as Koeman and Walsh do. I'm sure most of the top 6 would like him in their squad, if not first XI, though.

And who knows what other interest there is or may be? But, as a general rule, apart from Barça or Madrid very few British based players make their way into those top European teams anyway so that point of view doesn't really stand up.

However over priced Sigurdsson is, what ever way you look at it, he is probably one of the best players we can currently attract, in that position.

Will he be worth it? If we get top 4 and he's assisted 15 times and scored 10 goals would any of us care what we paid for him?

We have money to spend. We have other positions we also need players for. We have to assume Koeman and Walsh are not going into this blind and blowing the rest of our kitty on one player.

He's a very good, consistent player we need.

Will Mabon
217 Posted 26/07/2017 at 07:05:31
"Because most of those sides wouldn't see him as an integral part of their teams and wouldn't be prepared to spend so much money on I would imagine"

Isn't that exactly the point David made, James?

"Where as Koeman and Walsh do."

Koeman also sees Martina as part of the side...

James Watts
218 Posted 26/07/2017 at 07:50:59
Will (#217). And the point I was making is who cares as he'd get into our side. They have previously brought world class players for that position; we haven't. Plus that's just a snippet of my whole post so a bit out of context by just quoting that bit.

As for Martina? Crap signing in my eyes but a free signing for a player to cover a position is hardly justified in comparing the two is it?

I do think Sigurdsson is over priced but I also think he'll be a good signing for us. I don't think we can currently attract another player as good as him right now. Which means we have to pay the asking price.

John Audsley
220 Posted 26/07/2017 at 08:24:21
If he played for Arsenal or Man City, paying £50m wouldn't be an issue; it's because he plays for little Swansea that it's a bigger problem.

Don't get me wrong – it's a fortune... but he is a superb player and will make a real difference.

End of the day, it's nothing much to do with us, is it?

Eddie Dunn
221 Posted 26/07/2017 at 08:41:19
If you pay to wine and dine a special woman on many occasions (or a man, etc) you buy her/him the odd present, even pay for a holiday.

Years later, when you are happily married, do you count up all of the expenditure that you shelled out? Of course not!

Spend the money on Sigurdsson and, when we win the Cup or get in the top 4, no-one will think that he was a bit over-priced!

Thomas Lennon
222 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:11:39
His dead-ball ability alone is worth the money. How many times have we seen promising free-kicks virtually given up on over the last two or three seasons? If it is worth 10 points over a season, it is good value.
Tony Abrahams
223 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:22:17
Everything's great when everyone is happy and, after reading this thread, I imagine 60% will be happy if he signs, and 40% will be fucking made-up if he doesn't!!

Chris Gould
224 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:28:10
David (#215),

Because all of the Spanish and Italian clubs, apart from Barça, Madrid and possibly Juve, couldn't afford him.

I think he'd walk into Man Utd's team and do very well there. Thankfully Mourinho is persevering with the likes of Lingard.

I also believe Spurs would have taken him back but not for the money Swansea are demanding. Their stadium has left them penniless, not that Levy will admit that. Sigurdsson most probably wouldn't want to go back after his last experience anyway.

Drew O'Neall
225 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:36:27
Chris, perhaps we should offer them the Lukaku money for Kane then.
David Hayes
226 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:38:58
i couldn't have imagined having this discussion only two years ago. Fantastic and exciting times ahead..

Come on, you Blues! Enjoy the ride.<>ps:. Paul (#132), is your middle name Juan by any chance? Just a feeble joke.... no offense.

Andrew Ellams
227 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:39:32
Why does everybody keep comparing the value of Renato Sanches? He's a player that Bayern are looking to offload because he struggles to get a game. It's not really a viable comparison. Never mind the fact he's probably more like Davies than Sigurdsson anyway.
Chris Gould
228 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:41:16
Tony,

Once he comes and grabs his first goal and assist, those 40% will be just as happy as the 60%.

I can't wait to see him play for us. I genuinely believe he will make a huge difference and be worth all the effort. Sigurdsson is a player of true quality who wants to come and is clearly Koeman's and Walsh's top choice. He will give his all every week and soon become a fans' favourite.

I can't understand why some posters think they know other players who will suit us better, when they have no idea how Koeman wants us to play and where he expects Sigurdsson to fit in.

I keep reading, "I'd rather we went for..."

Why would you rather we went for a player that Koeman doesn't want? He's the manager and he wants Sigurdsson. Koeman and Walsh would have watched far more of all of the players mentioned and they will know who is the right fit and who they have a realistic chance of getting.

With Sigurdsson, they get proven Premier league quality, fantastic fitness and work rate, world class delivery, and a player entering his prime.

Pay the money!

Lee Brownlie
229 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:49:35
Not sure getting him in right now's going to do much but unsettle those already in the middle bedding in, trying to gel and get ready for the new season! Is he really that good that we should risk that before a balls been kicked in seriousness?

I think we've got some good quality in the middle, options-wise, already.. paying £50 mill for someone who's clearly not going to be left on the bench will seem more than a bit counter-productive if he just pushes someone else out, then proves to be no better... or worse!!

Personally, I'm waiting for Klaassen to kick on, in, and be the box to box central midfielder and scorer I'm hoping he'll prove for us!!!

Chris Gould
230 Posted 26/07/2017 at 09:52:35
Drew (#225),

It would take a ridiculous world record bid from the likes of Madrid or Barça to prise him away. We can dream though.

David Ellis
231 Posted 26/07/2017 at 10:34:32
Neil at 172 – but the TV companies are struggling to sell enough subscriptions to justify the current deals they have signed. I think domestic TV rights may well hit a wall as the UK economy is beginning to look a bit dodgy (don't get me started on Brexit chaos) and the internet/piracy will do for overseas rights.

I don't think we can assume that TV rights will continue to go up. I think it is quite likely they may start to come down (but I have thought that before and it didn't happen – hey ho, I'll be right eventually).

Christopher Wallace
232 Posted 26/07/2017 at 10:53:05
David Currie (#215),

I don't get the old "top 6 sides don't want him so why should we" argument, to state that players aren't good enough.

Are you saying that we shouldn't have signed Coleman, Baines, Gana, Schneiderlin, Lukaku, etc?

Spurs have built one of the best teams by signing players not fancied by the other top 4 teams. Should they not have bothered with Vertonghen, Walker, Dembele, Alli, Eriksen, etc?

Gavin Johnson
233 Posted 26/07/2017 at 11:52:52
Andrew (#227),

Yes, it's apples and oranges. Sanches is a different kind of midfielder and he's also different calibre of player to Sigurdsson. A marquee name who is available for less than the fee Swansea are demanding.

We still still need a centre-back. I'd prefer to pay another 㾶m and buy Van Dijk than overpay on Sigurdsson.

Chris Gould
234 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:03:35
Gavin, buying Van Dijk would be huge. We'd have the best defence in the league.

Seems like he's going you know where. That is going to be devastating and will massively improve them.

Jason Broome
235 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:06:10
We will struggle to get above 7th next season. I respect every post but some people have become very deluded since we brought in a few players this summer.

Sigurdsson will have little impact on our league position.

Jay Woods
236 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:14:22
David Ellis, you just had to bring Brexit into it, didn't you? I'm sure in expressing my dismay at you doing that I speak for literally, erm, some Evertonians who are pro-Brexit.
Tom Bowers
237 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:16:59
Wouldn't it be nice to tell Swansea to go screw themselves and then tell Ross Barkley to get his act together and play up to expectations!!
Thomas Surgenor
238 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:28:37
I'm in the "walk away" camp. I think the money could be invested better elsewhere.

Also think we haven't improved as much as many think. Don't think Sigurdsson is the man to help us break top 4.

Was hoping after Walsh's trip to Italy that we could tempt some of the Napoli contingent with the riches of the Premier League (Insigne, Callejon, Mertens, Hamsik, Koulibally or even Milik).

Rooney is a good signing but I would have liked one big name from the continent. I accept that not everyone from the continent transitions well but it would have been exciting to have been the club to tempt them here.

Christopher Wallace
239 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:36:10
Jason (#235),

On Eriksen has been involved in more goals (scored/assisted) over last few years than Gylfi.

Coutinho has carried Liverpool to Top , yet Gylfi has far more goals/assists than Coutnho, particularly against other top 6 teams.

You might be right. However, thinking that a player that makes things happen, added to the other quality additions, will help move us up the table, does not make us deluded.

Who would you bring in that would get us top 4?

Brian Dagnall
240 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:49:06
Frankly, I would respect my club even more if they walked away from this deal.
Tony J Williams
241 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:50:07
Pay the money and get it done.

It's been said many times that no-one goes for a song anymore (ignoring clause meeting low prices)

The going rate is there, pay it and move on to the next target.

(Why can't we go for more than one target at a time?)

John G Davies
242 Posted 26/07/2017 at 12:52:52
Brian 240.

Can I ask why please.

Chris Perry
243 Posted 26/07/2017 at 13:15:47
I am certainly in the "walk away" camp. "I cannot believe contributors on here saying spend the money and get it done".

There must be far better options out there, we need pace and a target man rather than someone who can take corners and free kicks! He plays for a poor Swansea side so of course he looks good, let's be honest I am sure Adam Johnson will look good in prison side!

Go out and get Sanchez to replace one of our defensive midfielders and add some real box to box urgency.

Brian Dagnall
244 Posted 26/07/2017 at 13:17:52
John (#242). Thanks and a perfectly reasonable question.

You either have principles or you do not. My feeling is that Swansea are playing us along. £50 million, why not £60M, why not £70M? Who knows what the player's true worth is.

Our club seems to have had an idea of £40M, maybe up to £45M. In my view, we should stick to our opinions, not just pay up whatever is asked. I do understand the view on here which is Manchester City or Manchester United based.. just pay up, do the deal, we have loads a money.

This is the eventual ruination of the beautiful game. Sorry to be so "deep" but the figures asked are just a joke. £50 million for Barkley. Yeeeessss.

Peter Gorman
245 Posted 26/07/2017 at 13:21:23
"I think domestic TV rights may well hit a wall as the UK economy is beginning to look a bit dodgy (don't get me started on Brexit chaos)"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40716317

We'll be fine but feel free to tell us all what you think about 'he who shall not be named'.

Onto Sigurdsson himself, he is a player who I'd have loved to sign when he left Tottenham but I do question do we really, really need him now when we are, as noted, quite highly stocked on midfielders.

Surely Rooney and Klaassen will play in that role and as nice as it would be to have a great set-piece taker I think we are okay on that front already, not least with Rooney in the side.

£50 million on a striker who can nod them in, that would be money well spent.

Bob Parrington
246 Posted 26/07/2017 at 13:28:47
Walk away, too from me!
John G Davies
247 Posted 26/07/2017 at 13:40:22
Thanks for getting back to me, Brian.
Andrew Ellams
248 Posted 26/07/2017 at 13:50:30
What £50million striker do people think would come to Everton?

I think we'll get Sigurdsson for £45million plus extras and then we have him, Klaassen, Rooney, Sandro and Martina all brought in for the sum total of Lukaku's starting fee. Del and Cleverley paid for most of Keane too. Sell Barkley for £35million and we'd be quits up to this point.

Simon Bates
249 Posted 26/07/2017 at 14:03:59
This is getting ridiculous, I think maybe a bit of stubbornness from both sides.

Hmmm.... I'm with Tony (#128), there's also a lot of horses heads in Wales!

Christopher Wallace
250 Posted 26/07/2017 at 14:04:46
Good question, Andrew. I don't consider Lukaku or Morata elite strikers, and yet they fetched massive fees this window. I've not always been a big Giroud fan, but I think he could do a job for us, and may be available.

There's not exactly an abundance of proven scorers that are available, in a competitive market, therefore goals from midfield are a must – step forward Gylfi (who will also put them on a plate for guys like Giroud).

Diego Costa on loan until January, anyone? Very unlikely, but he's frozen out at Chelsea, can't go to Atletico til then, and it's a World Cup year.

Chris Williams
251 Posted 26/07/2017 at 14:08:04
Koeman in his press conference, briefly.

He wants to replace Lukaku, Funes Mori and one other, hopefully.

He expects Barkley to leave.

He was very laid back and wouldn't talk about Sigurdsson.

Jason Broome
253 Posted 26/07/2017 at 14:30:23
Christopher @239

Kudos on finally buying a goalkeeper to succeed an aging Howard.

Keane's arrival is exciting but he simply fills the gap left by Jagielka.

However we need another centre-back as Jagielka is aging, Funes Mori is injured and Williams is unfit.

We need a left-back as Baines is getting on and may get injured.

We brought in Martina to fill the very large shoes of Coleman... Good luck with that.

We had to release Deulofeu with so far no decent replacement options. Some of the shit we have been linked to had me switch off my computer as it clearly is media rubbish!

We have Barkley who is as good as Sigurdsson but yet could lose him for a minimal sum or free next year.

Bolasie is injured and has been replaced by Lookman, who in my opinion can play the Sigurdsson role upon Bolasie's return.

Lukaku has gone and we have no replacement. Yet we throw around the 㿙 Million for a midfielder who will have little impact over Barkley's performances.

Prior to Klaassen's arrival, we all thought that he would be the play maker Number 10 that would open up defences and score goals. His role now is to play in Tom Davies's position, relegating an exciting talent to the bench. Do you really believe that Klaassen will have a bigger impact than Davies? I would say they would be about the same.


Managers make mistakes, ask Moyes's unemployment advisor. The problem is unlike a forum where we can have raging debates with 100s of opinions, managers have the unquestionable final say and then live and die by it.

We all know that 㿞 Million is too much for Sigurdsson but people are finding DC and Marvel ways to hype up a player who may not live up to it. Spurs anyone?

The money can be invested in key areas and yet re-signing Barkley, promote youth and bring in a play-maker who has the ability but not the games for a top side. Even if it is on loan.

There are many players around the world who want games. Lukaku was one of them. Deulofeu another, and on average wages as well.

They came to us, as did Ramirez. If you want to spend big though then Martial, Dembele, Javier Hernandez (too late) etc would come. We aren't as shit as some make out.

My point is, we are making side moves. Nothing has really changed that much. Apart from the absence of Lukaku, Deulofeu and soon to be Barkley. We are staying 7th... if we can score enough goals.

The pursuit of Sigurdsson makes us look like New Money idiots desperate to pay a made up valuation by a Swansea chairman who must be flabbergasted at how desperate we must be to hang with the big boys.

Time to find another way.

Kev Clark
254 Posted 26/07/2017 at 14:31:47
I like Sigurdsson but not £50M, £40M was pushing it. In fact, for £40M, I'd rather take Mahrez.
John G Davies
255 Posted 26/07/2017 at 14:41:23
Easy this management game, isn't it.
😁
Christopher Wallace
256 Posted 26/07/2017 at 14:51:56
A lot of valid points Jason.

Gylfi was played deeper at Spurs. The fact that Pochettino has lamented his subsequent sale to Swansea speaks volumes.

I would've liked Javier. He has scored 35 in league over last 3 years – Gylfi has 27 goals, and 27 assists from midfield.

Martial is not the type of personality I want at the club, and his form is erratic, to say the least. Man Utd would not sell cheap either.

Dembele looks good, and could be the striker we need, yet we'd surely still need a playmaker?

There are more signings to come (thanks for update CW).

Will Liverpool be any better, particularly if Coutinho goes?

Spurs have signed nobody, and may be forced into panic-buys at some stage...

Will Morata have the same impact as Diego Costa. Is Hazard over his injury?

Mourinho sees Lukaku as a target man, who is most effective with back to goal – be interesting to see how that plays out. Or when Jose inevitably falls out with Pogba or Rom, and has 𧵬m worth of sulk warming the bench and disrupting the changing room.

Arsenal have been in decline for years, and could very well lose their best player in Sanchez.

To say that we are deluded to think that there is a possibility of leapfrogging one or two of these teams is a bit ridiculous.

Steve Ferns
257 Posted 26/07/2017 at 14:59:26
Remember Pochettino never really managed Sigurdsson. He got the job just as Sigurdsson was being sold, their Spurs careers overlapping by just mere days.

Point being, that Pochettino cannot be blamed for not playing him, or playing him out of position, but also that he does not really know the player inside out as he never really managed him.

I think his comments come from the fact that, like Koeman, he thinks Sigurdsson would have fitted into his hard running game.

Steavey Buckley
258 Posted 26/07/2017 at 15:10:10
Koeman wants three more players but not one of them where Everton really need a least one of them on the wings.
Jason Broome
259 Posted 26/07/2017 at 15:11:27
Christopher,

All due respect to you and thank you for posting but this is what I'm talking about. We are so naive at times.

Unlike Everton, the teams you mentioned don't live and die on one player. They don't have to break the glass ceiling... They are the ceiling!

Spurs don't need to make panic buys, their team as a whole is excellent. They could have won the Premier League two years in a row. They will have a go again this year.

Liverpool are currently strengthening their defence. With or without Coutinho they will be mean next year, and I bet they will buy well with the Coutinho money.

Arsenal have been in decline for years but always end up higher than us. They have Lacazette and are targeting a solid midfielder and defender.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United... stop, my friend, stop.

If any of the aforementioned had old, injured, unfit players in key positions with no top striker and no quality replacements your point would be valid; however, unfortunately we do and that is the reality.

Be honest – do you honestly believe that Sigurdsson is worth 㿞 Million?

Gary Edwards
260 Posted 26/07/2017 at 15:26:55
Jason – no he's not worth 50m.

Apologies if it's already been shared, but The Guardian has a very succinct article on Sigurdsson:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/jul/26/gylfi-sigurdsson-everton-swansea-transfer-window

Difficult to disagree with it. If you take set pieces out of his game then Sigurdson's stats are very average and as this article points out, so is the rest of his game.

It's too much money, it's become divisive, there are cheaper options, we desperately need a tall, mobile centre-forward and the blue flag to me is that no other teams are chasing him.

I suggest that we stop this chase right now and re-visit (if necessary) next July when Swansea are either relegated or had yet another demoralising relegation battle.

Jason Broome
261 Posted 26/07/2017 at 15:35:30
Interesting read Gary. Thank you.
Christopher Wallace
262 Posted 26/07/2017 at 15:42:32
Gary,

He is the best set-piece taker in the league – why would you take this out of his game when assessing his ability?

Only divisive amongst us fans, but what isn't?! Moshiri, Koeman and Walsh are working on a project, and clearly see him as an integral part.

I think his impact on average Swansea and Iceland teams over the last few years have been extraordinary.

Jason – I'm not saying those clubs are in trouble, just that relatively small things can have a big impact, eg, Chelsea winning league, then finishing bottom half, then strolling the league. Did anyone think that Victor Moses, Mikel Alonso and David Luiz would have such an impact on their fortunes? Conte Did.

I really appreciate you and Jason providing the reasons behind your opinions – not enough of that on here tbh.

Andrew Ellams
263 Posted 26/07/2017 at 15:48:09
Footballers don't have values like items on a supermarket shelf. Swansea stayed up by the skin of their teeth last season and, when you bear in mind what Sigurdsson did at Mordor and Old Trafford amongst others, the club stands to lose a lot more than 㿞 million if he moves on.
Tony Everan
264 Posted 26/07/2017 at 16:17:39
And that is why they won't budge; if they go down for 2-3 seasons, they'll lose £200m or more...

Owners are fretting big time.

Simon Bates
265 Posted 26/07/2017 at 16:35:59
Right, the Sigurdsson saga, is he worth it?

Right now... yes, but only in this window of opportunity, as in, this phase of the plan, which is becoming increasingly clearer.

Buy the best, consistent players from the lesser teams or quality bench-warmers from the bigger clubs with Premier League experience: Bolasie, Williams, Schneiderlin, Rooney, Keane... go for the now, whilst grabbing the best young talent out there: Pickford, Sandro, Lookman, Clavert-Lewin, Onyekuru, Klaassen and a host of U23s.

The older experienced players can go straight in whilst helping the newbies settle with minimal pressure. For this reason, I understand Koeman wanting this done now, and now only, as he slots perfectly into the first category.

That being said, it has to be this window and with a younger, faster striker like Dembele, not Giroud, much as I rate him, but one for each category, age and youth.

Jason Broome
266 Posted 26/07/2017 at 17:13:51
Thanks, Christopher. Nice debating with you. Enjoy your evening.
Brian Wilkinson
267 Posted 26/07/2017 at 18:28:09
Gary @260, the same could be said about Kevin Sheedy, he did not do too bad for Everton.
Will Mabon
268 Posted 26/07/2017 at 20:09:03
Thanks for the link there, Gary.

Perhaps the reality is that Sigurdsson might've augmented the team with Barkley – which we will never know. He is not a replacement for him. The passes stat is the most telling.

The price though, is lunacy.

Raymond Fox
269 Posted 26/07/2017 at 20:40:48
My opinion is that Sigurdsson is not worth 㿞m, but the owners know their finances better than us.

They also know the situation with regard to Ross, so maybe Sigurdsson is a much needed replacement for Barkley.

It looks a sure thing to me that he will be an Everton player this season, and we will pay 㿞m or close to it.

Drew O'Neall
270 Posted 26/07/2017 at 20:44:06
Shall we get this done before that lot decide he might make a convenient replacement for Coutinho?
Raymond Fox
271 Posted 26/07/2017 at 20:48:24
Just seen your post, Will.

So you don't think Sigurdsson would be a replacement for Barkley. air enough, I cant say I looked at the stats. so it was just an assumption I made.

Dennis Ng
272 Posted 26/07/2017 at 21:45:29
Well, one way to think about paying £50m is that this money will be Swansea's pre-relegation parachute payment. He is their best player by miles so, given they have the initiative with the recent contract, we might just have to pay. I do worry about the price as I want us to still have at least one alternative in that creative role, ideally younger.
Gavin Johnson
273 Posted 26/07/2017 at 22:06:59
Time to look for better value for money. Christian Pulisic would be my choice, as would Dembele as our new striker.

Koeman will stick with Sigurdsson and go for Giroud or Slimani because he's got 2 years on his contract and probably isn't thinking about the future in the long term. That's Steve Walsh's brief.

Gary Edwards
274 Posted 26/07/2017 at 22:58:11
Brian,

Sheedy was 22 years old when he joined us for £100k he was brilliant for us and exceptional value. Sigurdsson will never be that quite simply because the asking price is far too high.

I believe that the point you're trying to make is re: set pieces.

Firstly there will be a queue, Rooney will probably call dibs, Baines will be sniffing about and best part redundant as others will be taking free kicks and corners. Mirallas will probably walk off in a sulk (with the ball) and the remaining midgets will be getting bullied in the box.

Secondly, Sheedy had Sharpe, Gray, Inchie, Mountfield etc to feed as the Guardian points out, who would Sigurdsson have now that Lukaku has gone ? Do we have anyone over 6 feet?

Sigurdsson is decent; IMO the current prices being quoted are far too high, I feel that there are better, cheaper, younger alternatives and would rather see the money spent on a big striker.

Alan J Thompson
275 Posted 27/07/2017 at 05:00:56
James (#119); I was thinking more of Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal, Jesus Gabriel at Man City and who is that other Chilean at Bayern Munich (name starts with a V). You think Lamela (Argie at Spurs?) is a failure?
Simon Bates
276 Posted 27/07/2017 at 12:39:40
This supposed record 㿙M bid for Sigurdsson is, in fact, to Swansea, probably worth 㿏M when ٣M is in add-ons... add to this the 10% that Spurs receive, then what did we really offer?

Come on, Everton, if you really want him, pay up. Simple.

Will Jones
277 Posted 29/07/2017 at 00:37:47
Upto this point, I think this has been an amazing transfer window. We have released a player who did not want to stay go, for good money, and bought in several replacements with the same funds.

But all this will be undone with bad business lining up. We should not buy a player for full asking price, full stop. We already got shafted with Williams, who has not impressed me yet. Let's not go any further with the Swans.

Clive Rogers
278 Posted 29/07/2017 at 01:06:56
It looks like the board have decided not to be held to ransom. I agree. There is no way he is worth 㿞M at nearly 28. A three-year contract would take him to 31 at which time his sell-on value would be 㾶M max.

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