Kean's move to Everton imminent

Wow! Many channels reporting that the deal is done at 30 million pounds. No reports of any buyback clause. Other club supporters are in meltdown - 'how did Everton manage to land the most promising striker in Europe at such a low price?' :-)
Well done to Brands and Moshiri. A big, big statement by Everton! COYB

This is the transfer I had been hoping for. At last we are replacing Lukaku with a like for like but with more potential. Best news yet.

Great work by Brands here if the purchase price is accurate? Once again proving the doubter's and the naysayers on this website wrong.

A little more patience please, the man knows what he is doing.

SSN saying £27.5m that could rise to £36m

Excellent news!

Erm, we haven't signed him yet, signing him has been imminent for about three weeks now it's just a regurgitation of the same story 🤷‍♂️

Just in time to sort out a loan move for him

Cautious Carter! This one feels like it is going to happen. Start slicing the humble pie for me Gary.

Please let this one get over the line! Absolute class this lad and finally a Lukaku replacement!

''Everton have been pursuing a deal for weeks, and finally appear to have found a breakthrough, paying €30million (㿇.50million) up front and another €10million (٧million) in add-ons.

That takes the total amount to around 㿐million, and Kean will also earn €3million a year in wages, which is around 㿡,000-a-week.

The report suggests that Juventus will have a first option on a future transfer, meaning Everton may well have managed to negotiate out of a definitive buy-back clause in the deal.''

Wow, Mr Brands has done the business for us, if those terms are accurate. Well pleased.

No buy back but offer to match the bid in future with Juventus given the first preference. Fantastic.

Every deal takes time if you want to get it right, Kudos to Brands for another wonderful deal. I am sure he is working on other deals as well.Not blindly paying the wages or transfer money like Walsh.

Expected medical tomorrow. 1 down 4 to go?

And looks like Lukaku will be Kean's replacement at Juventus ;-)he.. he...

Bit of a coup by all accounts if those figures are true.

Optimistic perhaps, but imagine the possibility of: Richarlison, Kean and Zaha been fed by Siggy - enough to make your eyes water.

AJ. Utter karma. ha ha ha.

Very good Ajay!

Pleased with this - an Italian international (2 goals in 3) with a point to prove, for under £30mil?

In M&M we trust

Don't think we'll be getting Zaha, but if we managed to land Malcolm or Neres and a CB we'd be well on our way. Personally, it would be a dream to get Neres but not sure if Everton are genuinely interested.

I've looked at a few articles on this lad, and he is being touted as somebody who could live up to Cristiano Ronaldo. As such, surely there is NO WAY Juve have let him out the door for a starting fee of £29m even if he is in the last year of his contract, there will (as Sky have just said) be a buy back clause.

We actually signed Lukaku on a permanent deal 5 years ago today.

Let's hope he doesn't get rid of those dreads!

He was spotted yesterday outside the Pall Mall medical center in NLW.

If the figures being quoted are true then Brands is a genius!

If Brands pulls this off he really was worth waiting for.
If only we got him first time round rather than that charlatan Walsh.

We still need a few in but you can see that it is focused recruiting. Not just buying all the players available with no idea how they were gonna fit into the system. (Like we did previously)

The only thing I can fault with this window was JJK being allowed to go on loan. I initially thought it was because Silva seen Holgate as being further along the development line but Mason has been deployed centrally pre season.

Sign him up, sign him up, sign him uuuuuuup!!!

Excellent news.
Now a replacement for Gueye and Zouma please!

Still convinced it's all a misprint, the original said "Moyes keen on Everton"

I thought he was a big strapping lad, Send him back five foot nine. Name me one decent forward under six foot two?

Just jizzed my pants!

Link

Big WOW and hat doffed to Brands if this comes off in the next day or two. Finally will have a proper quality striker to lead the line.

Amazed his wages will 'only' be £53k/week when the likes of Mina, Schneiderlin, Sandro, Gilfy etc are all on >£100k/week - presume this will go up over time, appearances and goals.

£30m for a guy who'll be worth at least double that once he's scored a few goals and settled in would be an amazing deal.

If/when he comes I truly hope the crowd GIVES THE KID TIME to settle in and not expect too much too soon. He's only 19 after all so don't expect hattricks from the off.

Geoff (28) - Er, Lionel Messi!

Tony you plonker. Just made me spit me coffee out reading your post! 🤣

And I'm hoping the link is regarding Kean and not a regarding your post!

Geoff, where do you get 5 foot 9 from?

Brian! I have been fishing all morning and caught sod all so thought I might get a bite on here.

Sorry Brian!

Geoff, he's 6ft tall!

Oh and Aguero, Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Werner, Jesus and Sterling all under 6 foot 2

Everything about this lad looks really positive to me, and if we can get for 35mil with no buy back will be great business, fingers tightly crossed

on wikipedia now...

Moise Bioty Kean (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmɔize ˈkɛn];[2] born 28 February 2000) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Everton[3] and the Italy national team.

Denis 30 - Sandro isn't on £100k a week. That's just a figure that's been touted about on here so much that people take it as gospel. It's actually closer to £60k according to some fairly reliable sources.

Still far too much.

Oh great, another full day checking tofferweb. Hes only 19. Makes you wonder why theyd let him go really. Good stuff

Bit worried that everyone is too positive about this. Can I be the first to say "he'll never make it"?

This is an excellent and exciting move. He is young, so can see him starting off on the bench before forcing himself into the first 11.

Pace, skill and a great, natural finisher. He could well explode onto the scene, but let's not put too much pressure on the lad.

Him and Rich certainly make for an exciting future of we can keep them. I now think Zaha would be ideal to partner them, as he is a bit older, wise to opposition tactics.

I know not a defense in the land would relish Zaha, Kean, Richarlison (with DCL and Bernard in reserve).

He is only 5 foot 9 though.

Michael 41...save that for half time against Palace

Tony. I forgive you mate and hope there's cause for at least three more jizz incidents!

Stunning transfer. Technically a lot better than Lukaku. Possibly as strong. And is a menace with his size and pace. Another 6 footer in the squad. I bet long or short passes don't bounce off of his shins like Lukaku.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-transfer-news-live-gueye-16666495

Brian, me too!

Geoff (43) - Only from a distance.

At least he will be able to borrow Bernards kit.

Moise in his new shirt looks the part!

https://twitter.com/TheBlueRoomEFC/status/1156181968234647553/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1156181968234647553&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsportslens.com%2Fmoise-keans-brother-posts-picture-of-the-striker-photo-shopped-into-an-everton-shirt-on-instagram%2F272185%2F

Change to PL can take a while but a youngster often has less fear. Could be a great and different kind of signing reflecting a changing club.

His Mum will love Formby!

Tommy #24 absolutisty, it's ridiculous that Kenny went out on loan.
I don't know what they were thinking, a knock to Seamus and we'll be found scrambling for cover.

Very good deal if true kudos to Marcel Brands, if this is the kind of player we have to wait all summer for then that's fine by me.

A great deal, Hopefully the lad takes to hurly-burly of the premier league very quickly. We are now signing players from Juve & Barca rather than from Wigan. that's another step in the right direction

Sh*t is getting real.

How will we find out if the 'buy back' clause exists or whether it really is an 'option to buy/first refusal' ?
Opinion on here seems to be split as are the reports in the media.

Geoff, not sure why you're on this 5 foot 9 thing, but he's not.

Every web source I can find lists him at either 1.83m or 1.82m, which makes him either 6 feet even or a fraction under. Besides, I've seen him play, and he's definitely no Munchkin.

Wouldn't be trolling just a tiny bit, would you?

By the way, the reliable Juvefc.com says "done deal."

This is a fantastic deal, especially at that price. I watch a lot of Serie A and I was very high on this guy last season, long before I ever dreamt Everton would get him.

Mark my words he will fire us to both trophies and CL qualification!

Geoff - And he's partially blind in one eye plus he suffers from "Coulrophobia" - fear of clowns. That means he'd never be able to play in a derby...

Delighted with this, being said now Malcolm going to Russia, probably would have went with him instead of zaha, wouldn't have been as pricey

Haven't seen such excitement at a signing on here since we captured that promising Spanish young fella Sandro. Think we might have got it right this time.

Moise Kean, meet Moist Tony. This is awesome news (the signing, not the jizz).

Great News, fingers crossed it's sorted this week.

Barry
No buy back but a gentlemen's agreement that if we get an offer we give juve the chance to match it

Eric, where did you see that? I assume it wouldn't be just a gentleman's agreement but a "right of first refusal", which is written into contracts all the time. But that would be SO much better than a buyback. Yay.

Clarence #59, I only saw him twice but I'm excited too!

Richard #61, Barca Blaugranes reported yesterday that we're not out of it yet for Malcolm. Zenit in the lead but we're still in, along with Spurs and the Arse.

Kudos to MB on this one, he looks a real talent. If he can live up to the billing we have a real gem on our hands.
Now this signing has got a bloody misery like me excited!!

Mike - it's being widely reported that Juve have first refusal, but there's no buyback clause as previously toted about.

This is a win/win for us. Looks a great deal at less than £30m in the current market. This kid is something else :-)

I don't watch Serie A so honestly don't know much about this lad and having watched a few YouTube clips I am not overly excited however he seems to be rated highly so hopefully he can be the the sort of striker we desperately need who will bang in 20+ goals a season.

I think this means DCL will play second string which is a shame as he clearly loves the club and gives 100% effort but his strike rate is pretty dismal, he needs to keep his down and work on his finishing and maybe we may have two lethal strikers.

As for the height it doesn't matter these days, the days of getting the big man in the box for crosses has long gone, smaller players are in general better technically.

Huge win, James. He is electric, isn't he? Wait till Goodison sees him on the ball. He eats defenders off the dribble. Strong and pacey.

Mike
There is an agreement based on good relations with juve.

Delighted, Eric. Would be great to keep this kid for a few years.

5'9"? He looks slightly smaller than Cristiano "Ronaldo" Aveiro who is 6'1". I'd say he was 6'0" or a smidgeon under it. At 19, he might even gain an inch or two. Doesn't matter anyway, he's got a good physique for a youngster of his stature.

I've been quietly excited about this boy. I think this is like when we first signed Lukaku. Unlike Martinez, who gave Lukaku a free reign and allowed the ego to build out of control, I think Silva is going to be a bit firmer on the reigns, not quite as tough as Moyes, but a lot tougher than Martinez.

No jokes about Moysie's keen yet? I could think of a couple involving Kenwright.

5' 9'', 6' 0''? All I know is Kean is shorter than Keane.

I don't care as long as he knocks them in.

Steve, I did post a while back that we were Keen to add Kean to Keane.

Colin, I would expect him and DCL to work in alternatives. I would expect MK to be introduced gradually from the bench and see how it progresses from there. I would expect both to have prolonged runs in the side and then be on the bench for prolonged periods. Don't forget that youth always means inconsistency and less capability to maintain form for prolonged periods of the season.

Well, this is it. This is the major piece of the puzzle that was missing. We've got our striker.

Step up kid and bang in 20.

If we sign Zaha we'll be ridiculously fun to watch.

I'll admit I was one of the first and most vocal to dismiss this rumour as fake news about six weeks ago. I was and still am surprised that Juve are willing to sell and no richer club was swooped in. But if we seal the deal I'll be delighted

Mike, I was thinking more like Bill Kenwright got all excited when he was told to Mosie's Kean to join, and he asked if he could be the one to phone Davie himself.

Here are the specific details of the deal according to Fabrizio Romano

Kean to Everton, here we go! 🔵
- Everton have reached an agreement with Juventus to sign Moise Kean as new striker 🤝

- The deal is done for €40M [add ons included] and Everton have completed paperwork with Juventus earlier this morning. ✍🏻

- The Italian striker will fly to UK tomorrow to undergo his medical and then sign his contract until June 2024 for €3M/season. ✈️

- BUY BACK CLAUSE QUESTION - Juve WILL NOT have a buy back clause. But Juventus have good relationship with Everton and will be called if they'll receive any bid in future, so Juve can decide about matching it. ✔️

While I welcome him with open arms, I'm a little surprised in todays market why they have sold him relatively cheaply.
I have seen highlights of him, which is only half the story, scoring a few goals that 30 years ago I could have scored.
Do I want him at Goodison, yes but I wouldn't want to put DCL on the scrap heap just yet.

That's more sophisticated humor, Steve.

The only downside of this transaction is that Everton now have the joy of dealing with Mino Raiola again. If this lad does bang in 15 or 20, we should be prepared for another Lukaku-style soap opera.

Raymond #81, he's only 19 and apparently still a bit up-and-down on performance. And reportedly he really wanted out very badly. The racial abuse incident and the lack of support he got from his manager and his captain would sour anybody on staying.

Steve (73), Kean is down as 5feet 11 1/2 in, on some reports on him.

We had Juve over a barrel. Mosh has become buddies with Raiola, with both residing in Monaco, and reportedly dining together. Once Raiola had agreed that Kean would come to us, Juve had no room to manoeuvre. They either agreed the deal with no buy-back clause or lose him for nothing in 12 months. A buy-back clause would not have been beneficial for Raiola as he'll make more money when we sell Kean at his market value than he would for a far smaller buy-back clause.
I believe it took so long because Juve couldn't get what they wanted.
We have got a fantastic deal.
NB: I accept that my above statement is pure conjecture and may have no basis on truth, but it makes sense to me.

Mike -

In regards to the tub-o'-lard who milks footy for as much money as he can doing not-a-fuckin'-thing, I'm kind of over it.

Raiola performs a needed function in today's game. Is he a likable character? Lord no. But in today's game, we need agents.

AND! I look at it this way.

If you don't want Kean to leave, and you don't want to hear the bile spewing from Raiola's mouth about the next big club, here's an idea:

Everton, for once start to perform as the Big Club yo purport to be. Finish in a Champions League spot, run yourselves professionally, and act like a big club, then you'll actually hold on to your players.

That's the answer Mike. Our Club needs to step it up.

We're headed in the right direction.

Raymond, Juve had spent big in recent seasons, and need to recoup some of the outlay. Then you add in that they have Cristiano "Ronaldo" Aviero, Douglas Costa, Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Gonzalo Higuaín (recently returned from a loan at Chelski), Federico Bernardeschi, and Marko Pjaca then it's easy to see how Kean would struggle to get games. Of course they would like to sell Higuaín and Mandzukic, but no one is willing to buy. Spurs are heavily linked with Dybala but he plays off the 9 more than is a 9. Cristiano Aveiro is more of a 9 than a wide forward these days, and so Kean was mostly a sub last season. Juve signed a load of frees like Ramsey and Rabiot, spent big on De Ligt, and so they need to cut some costs, and as we found, often this means parting with your future stars. Similar to our situation with Lookman.

I think we ought to capitalise on this good relationship with Juve and play them as h year in memory I the Hyssel 39.

Kean certainly doesn't lack for bollocks. Celebrating in front of the racist Cagliari fans and then refusing to back down in the face of despicable criticism from his own leaders Bonucci and Allegri (a couple of cowards in my book) says a lot about the young man's character.

Steve #86, latest rumor has Juve adding Mandzukic into the reported Dybala-for-Lukaku trade offer. Getting Mandzukic off their books would help their financial picture considerably.

Chris #84 and Jamie #85, agree and agree.

If you're not even slightly excited about Moise Kean, I wouldn't bother anymore. This kid could be absolute mustard, and his YouTube highlights do tell the whole story because he hasn't played that much.

I was also one of those who said this was all bollocks when it first came to light a few weeks ago. Amazed.

Also, goals scored after 35 professional league games:

11 - Moise Kean
10 - Lionel Messi
4 - Cristiano Ronaldo

I know it doesn't really mean a great deal but it looks nice.

Kean and Gomes each costing less than Ayoze Peres. Job well done now onto replacing Gana and bringing in Malcolm/Zaha

Agreed Mike. He may also be looking to get out of Italy as he is sick of the racism, and I suspect that England is seen as a far more tolerant set of supporters, unless the Chelsea fans got press over there.

As for Raiola, we are a club that he will love. We have big money to sign his clients, and yet we are not at the top level of the game so they can be sold on. Surely, the agents dream is a club that can spend big but has to accept it's best players moving on. Which, like it or not, is where we are at right now, at least in the eyes of non-fans. So, our mate Raiola can do us a favour or two and direct his clients to us and give us a real bump up the ladder.

Then when it comes time to move Kean on, we could be top 4 and then look to keep hold of the players, like Tottenham have. Agents can still earn big bucks from negotiating new deals. Also, the player can leave the agent after the big move, like Lukaku left Raiola after joining Utd.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, young Moysie, sorry Moise, has a lot of development to do, and he needs to take it one step at a time.

Chris -

I genuinely think with the addition of Malcom or Zaha we will seriously contend for a Top 4 spot.

My fear is I think we'll leak too many goals, but if we sign either of those two (personally I hope it's Zaha), we're in for one hell of a ride.

Haven't been this excited since Martinez' 72 point season!

Looks a brilliant bit of business on paper, let's see if Kean can match his promise on the pitch.

I was all in favour of a move for Inanacho a few seasons back, he had a similar record with City, but he hasn't yet lived up to his promise, hopefully Kean is a different gravy and Silva and Brands have pulled off a worldie.

Get this one nailed down and let's go out for Malcom, Zaha or Neres, if we do that then we can forget worrying about Gana, as we can't just find another Gana, but with 2 quality additions in the attack we will have improved the 1st team.

Best thing about this signing for me is that there won't be any more "why haven't we signed a striker yet?" posts on TW.

Tony @ 29, have you tried Baby Wipes they're pretty good for all those sort of things. :-)

Fantastic news, we have a striker who knows where the goal is, and boots that know how to connect with the ball at the proper time and with direction.

I bet all you naysayers are choking on grumble pie as I type, told you to have faith in M Brands, and he's not finished yet!

Agreed Mike @ 95 - so long as people don't call him the Moise-iah

Agreed Mike @ 95 - so long as people don't call him the Moise-iah

Mike- Well we have we only signed one striker !! sorry couldn't resist

Probably another twist in this deal. I won't be kean on this deal at all when we've signed Robbie Keane. Atleast we can all sing keano, keano, keano.

I can only second what Derek Knox says, Tony @29.

We keep the industrial sized bag of baby wipes in the Crowley house.

Smooth as butter, useful for many things, gold.

Buy some. It'll change your life.

Did I mention we're one attacking player away from gate crashing the big boys?

Colette #98, I think Steve F. has secured the rights to all Moise/Moyes jokes. You'll have to negotiate with him on that one.

Considering this is the day we officially lost our best player of the past three seasons, I'm in a remarkably good mood.

They say, no buy back clause, but that Juve are grated the right to be informed of, and match any future bid Yes, but, don't any club have that right?
So is that, so whats the deal with that, or have a I misunderstood something?

hope this turns out to be a great signing and for all the stick he gets on here we have to give Steve Walsh some credit who identified the kid a few years ago but Kean said he was too young to make the move and Walsh told him Everton would continue to monitor his progress and stay in touch.

Gutted but not surprised Gana has gone. Just hope we don't get that Lemon from Southampton to replace him.

Steve 86, your much better informed than I, I'm largely ignorant about the lad.
I hope obviously he turns out to be a cracker, I was just dubious that we have got him and not had to pay more if his potential was there to be seen.
Just call me an old cynic.

Looks like we might win the transfer window (again). A shame we don't get a trophy for it.

Derek and Jamie - Thanks for the tip re: baby wipes. I'm off to the cash & carry for an industrial sized pack...

Steven #103, I'm just speculating here, but my guess is that we've given Juve a "right of first refusal." That means they could match any offer we accept for the player and steal the deal. Say in two years Barca offers us €90m for the kid (after his second 18-goal season, right?) and we accept. We are then contractually required to inform Juve, and Juve would then have the option to step in ahead of Barca with their own €90m and take Kean back.

In effect it's a buyback clause without a pre-set price.

Mike #66, if we got Malcolm too would be unreal

Deleted

Clarence, imagine if Brands lands:
1. Gomes
2. Delph
3. Kean
4. Malcolm / Zaha / Neres
5. Gbamin / Lemina / Bakayoko
6. Santi Arias (Atletico Madrid RB)
7. Kurt Zouma

Now that would be jizz your pants time and off to put the mortgage on CL at Goodison before we leave for BM Dock.

Here's hoping his price hits the £36 Million tag then with the addons.

Give Brands his due he is one hell of a negotiator and looks to have bagged Gomes, Delph and Kean at great prices.

Would prefer to drag on a bit to ensure we get the best deal for incoming players than rush and pay whatever to get them earlier.

Let's put in a sneaky offer for Bale.

200k salary, they don't want to sell to a team who is in the Champions League. It also sounds like they will let him go for a small fee.

Jamie, are you saying that Moise is going to lead us to the Promised Land?

No doubt he will Plague opposing defenses with at least Ten Commanding performances.

Superstar in the making and we are about to sign him.
Another case of "remember the name" and other supporters in a while saying why the hell didn't we sign this lad !

Max, I had the same thought but I didn't have the courage to post it. Respects.

Genuinely, we need a left footed player up top, would love to see it provided Madrid pay most of his wages.

Phil @87
What a great idea, fostering good relations with Juve.

Max that might work, Real pay £500k a week as compensation for being forced to live in Madrid.
So £200k a week and a place in Cantril Farm, being able to get a proper fish supper and a chat with Bill on regular basis is a winner :)

Any chance of a cheeky cheap deal to bring in Mandzukic for a year? His experience could benefit both of our young strikers. Our Llorente if you will.

This could be a real game changer for us (with couple of other signings) I know is early days but this lad is a real prospect, big fast skillfull and determined, and I think the stars have alligned for us on this,

I think he wanted out of Juve and they were cornered - Whether it was the lack of 1st team game time or the racist abuse from some fans in Italy or the knuckle head (HIs own Team Captain!!) telling him not to put his hands to his ears to antagonize these dirtbags after scoring wha??

And looks to me like Brands knew they were cornered and sunk his teeth in :B,
If there is no buy back clause this is great business and yes its a risk as is every signing

Spoke to Juve fan in work couple of weeks back who was adamant they would not be letting him go at best a loan etc etc

Now if we can just get a quality CB and maybe a replacement for Gana (if such a player exists) things will really start to look up for us next season

I have feeling this lad will hit the ground running in the PL
Welcome Kean

This lad looks like real deal! www.youtube.com/watch?v=v865Ki07JUI A strong centre forward that can hold up play AND someone who knows how to put the back into the back of the net. He's quick, skilful and direct and dare I say it in the mould of a certain Lukaku. Bags of potential as well at his age, so a potential sell on value (and profit) if required. Kudos to brands and his team.

Andrew@119

I read that our initial inquiry was for Mandzukic and the Kean deal materialised off the back of it.

Apologies for the poor grammar - far too excited!!!

Raymond @81, I agree entirely about DCL and I expect he and Kean will be good for each other. I think DCL has a case of goalscoring "yips" just now, but let's see what the new season brings.

Jay #104.

Are you serious or have I got you believing in my spoof posting about Kean's tweet?

I did put a wink smile in there.

Mike G @ 113, and if he ever got constipated in the goal department, he could take Two Tablets and go up into the mountain. :-)

I hope a by-product of this player coming in will be that it takes some pressure off Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The lad takes some terrible abuse on here. He showed towards the end of last season that he is developing into an excellent player. Yes, crucially, he needs to add goals to his game, but that is more likely to happen if others around him are scoring and the burden is not just on him.

Gbamin talks continue

DK #126, you are condemned to go wander in the desert for 40 years after that one.

James @ 122 I have heard a couple of rumours about him. Maybe a lower priority right now I guess.

Brent (128) Where did you pick up that bit of info?

Hugh it was on sky few minutes ago.

I know he's only 19 but this is a ridiculously exciting signing. Ridiculously. When he was first linked, I thought no way will he come to Everton, he's already a star in Italy. Okay, he might turn out to be utter shite, but right now I am very very excited.

Just thinking, ( I know that can be dangerous) that Lukaku was about the same age when he first came to us on loan, and didn't he have 'dreads' to start off with?

Could be a good omen in there, and he (Lukaku) didn't turn out too bad did he?

If we can just get some similar quality in the other positions we could be taken seriously this season.

Done deal according to people ITK and he's on £52k pw so he's relatively cheap in today's madness.

I still think we'll get three more. Tarkowski, Bakayoko (loan) and Malcolm. But we need to get the flotsam out first.

Jamie 93- I think we are all delighted by this news but try and keep the emotions under a little control as talk like that will end up in another sacked manager.

As things stand we are probably worse off as a squad than last season with Gana,Zouma and Lookman out with only Delph and Kean added and I'm sure he will need time to adapt to the Prem.

Let's hope Marco gets the other four he wants so we can really kick on and perhaps turn the big 6 into the big 7 and start by catching Arsenal.

I am excited about this but come on guys we all know there's a risk that transfers don't work out, particularly if (a) they are from outside the Premier League and (b) they are kids with "potential". But no harm in dreaming (after all that's pretty much all we can do at the moment).

Just don't turn on the lad if he's not quite what we hoped.

Steve #110 that would certainly make me jizz my pants!

Kean's goal scoring record at all levels is very impressive. We could be set for a lot of hoarse Evertonians this season.

David Ellis fair point but even in a worst case scenario if he's a flop he'll be far from the most expensive EPL flop whereas the potential upside if he succeeds is massive

No buy back clause, just first refusal apparently if sold. Young hungry player, looks like good business.

Anybody else seeing the one in one out pattern emerging? I wonder what net cost target they have to play with. I'm guessing pretty low if none at all.

One in and one out is not a bad policy when you're moving to a new stadium and the previous guys spent a fortune on utter crap.

Mike Gaynes#107.
Sorry to be pedantic Mike but it's certainly NOT a buyback clause without a set price.
A buyback clause puts all the power in the hands of the selling club as they can activate it when it suits them (within the terms of the agreed contract), whereas in this deal (if what's been written is to be believed) Everton have the power in that if they don't want to sell they don't have to.
It's an option to "match any other offer in the future" agreement and there's a huge difference between that and a buyback clause mate.
It's a huge win win for us!

Brian #144, you're right, mate, I was imprecise there, thanks for correcting. But I think the rest of what I wrote was correct. I just hope my speculation is accurate and we have the control.

Mark T, that's a half-dozen optimistic posts from you! You all right, sir? I'm not accustomed to all these positive waves! In the words of the great Oddball, maybe we can't lose!

Colin #135, I've never heard a word about us being in for Tarkowski. Where did you pick that up? That would really surprise me, given Burnley's ridiculous price tag.

It was mate and you know I wasn't trying to be a smartarse. It's just that the dreaded "bb" word has caused more than enough bother on here and I'm so glad there aint one in this deal!

The two reds at work have both raised their eyebrows at the fee, don't think they can quite believe we've got him at the fee mentioned.

All of a sudden this doesn't look like such a bad window. Add a left winger and next season could be seriously fun to watch.

Please get this over the line...!!

Utd want to sell lukaku, Juve want to swap lukaku form dybala.

How about we offer 70 million for Dybala so Juve can buy lukaku

ImAgine Rich - Kean - Dybala

Really good player this. Brands has really pulled it off. Most have a replacement for Gueye in mind.

Hi Brent (132) - yes have now seen it myself - thanks.

If he doesn't point his arms everywhere, he will do for me :)

Mike I have turned over a new leaf... my glass is half full! I am going to skip through the season with rose tinted glasses!

Really happy with this news, let's hope we get it over the line quickly. A front 3 of Richy, Kean and Bernard will scare the life out of other teams.
Now just need a replacement for Gana and a centre back . here's hoping

Mark, gratified am I that you have turned away from the Dark Side of the Force.

We are now in talks with Mainz about signing Gbamin according to Sky Sports News.

He is 23 and will probably be a direct replacement for Gana.

With him and Kean - talk about reducing the age profile of the team!

Brilliant work by Brands if it all comes off.

I appreciate your confidence in me - but part of fears I'll be head butting the cat by 3:20 on opening weekend.

Dave #155, from what I have read, Gbamin would be both.

The list of those going out, loan or otherwise, is, well, very listy. Sky had it up earlier and the screen changed two or three times to cover them all. Wage bill changes from that would be interesting reading.

Gerry @153, if you look on YouTube, he does that pointing thing that Lukaku used to do!

Gerry, always a joy to see you post. All well with you?

Anyone still think we may get Malcom? Some reports saying he's going to Russia, out of all the ones that we have been linked with I thought he would have been the most likely to come to us.

Will he be ready for this weekend's friendly? Then integrate him a bit more at FF next week, before the hat trick debut at Palace!

Hugh, # 157. Apparently Mainz value Gbamin at £27.5M while we offered £23M. However talks are still on going, so we might as well just give Mainz the £5M we will get off man Utd as part of the deal which took Lukaku to them.

Phil # 125,
I read it somewhere but my old timers is so bad these days it could have been your spoof tweet.

Cannot believe I am doing this (sorry everyone) but I'm a slight naysayer when it comes to Moises Kean. From what I have seen of him - which admittedly isn't a great deal - he's got lots of energy and bustle but not a great deal of awareness of other people (teammates or opponents). The signing seems a bright one - and £30 million for one of world football's wunderkids sounds like a great deal - but I'm concerned that he might lack the real quality that enables promising youngsters who burst onto the scene to develop into genuine long-standing big names of the game. Excited to see how he develops; if he helps to push DCL into new territory then that'll be half his transfer fee paid in one fell swoop.

Derek #163 I read the same thing. I'm starting to wonder if Everton think they can wait on a winger as long as they get a striker (Kean), CDM (Gbamin), and CB (Tomori).

I guess it would mean playing Bernard left, Kean/DCL up front, and Richarlison right?

Andrew- he's only 19. Awareness should come with maturity. It's important we all appreciate he is not the finished article yet and he will be a boy in a strange country and a difficult league. Given time and encouragement rather than the usual ToffeeWeb criticism and Live Forum abuse he might just turn out to be a marvellous buy.

Haha only ToffeeWebbers could be a wet blanket about a promising 19 year old striker that scored 1 goal per 3 games last season without even getting real playing time and is widely-considered one of Europe's best young talents. :)

Never change TW.

I'm very excited. He's already good and has huge potential. If Brands has got him for less than £30m that's brilliant work.

Whenever I've seen him he looks like he has good movement and crucially the knack of scoring goals. His goals per minute is very impressive.

Like any foreign player he'll likely need time to settle. Let's see who's the first to say ‘we should have bought Vardy/Deeney/Lee Trundle.

I am very excited about this signing.

Front three of Bernard, Kean, Richarlison
or maybe even
Richarlison, Kean, Malcolm

The opposition won't know what's hit them.

Josh #168, from what I have read, if we get Gbamin we don't need Tomori. Gbamin can play either role. He has spent just as much time at CB as he has at DM.

Andrew #167, that's always a question when you're dealing with a 19-year-old. From my glimpses, yes, he does love his dribble a bit too much and sometimes finds blind alleys, but that can be coached. I was impressed with the maturity off the ball and the awareness of his runs -- check out the title-winner against Milan, when instead of breaking between the defenders, he slides to the right, wide of the CB, to create an angle for both the pass and the shot. That's a really mature move for a youngster, a Harry Kane movement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKE8Z6wMKCs

Likewise, note his patience on the Cagliari gamewinner -- instead of just busting for the net, kid-style, he waits one beat and lulls the defender, then bursts past him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnyoc3MSrhQ

And the fact that he scored 6 in 6 on Juve's final run to the title is pretty special for a teenager.

Your caution is appropriate, but I think we've potentially captured lightning in a bottle here.

Josh...those of us with doubts care more and are better fans!

Regards

Horseshit!

Great news about these signings. Keane and Gbamin, young hungry players who will greatly improve our team.
If Silva wants five and we will already have three if we complete the above signings I wonder who the other two will be?
Is the Zaha deal really dead? Is Malcom off to Zenit? Will we get a surprise?

Rob, 27.5m plus all our deadwood (Besic, Macca, Bolasie, Walcott, Cuco etc..) should swing it

Here's a neat little fact that I stumbled across on the Guardian website: "Kean became the first player born this century to score in one of Europe's top five leagues when he came off the bench to grab a late winner for Juventus away to Bologna" in May 2017.

Yep, Aiden, I had seen that too... and he was goal-a-game in the under-18s when he was only 15. Stunning talent.

Sky seem to think we are close on Gbamin. We have offered £23m but Mainz want £27m. Still think we'd need a CB too.

This is one signing I am genuinely excited about Lukak-who.

Did I hear right? We bought a striker? Yipee!!!

Now we can get excited about the new season.

COYB.

Mike G is right Gbamin could be a good bet to fill in at CB.

I wonder if Brands/Silva will want to hold off spending the CB cash in the expectation that Zouma may be available in January.

The pace and skill on this lad is unreal, dunno if i've seen a 19 yr old player with both of those in spades. Like some have said his only flaw seems to be awareness which can be coached into him. If we get Bbamin, we have Delph and Gomes which point to a 4-3-3 formation, but how can get do that and fit in all the forwards. Fuck knows what silva is planning but I think we'll be seeing diff formations this season compared to the turgid unimaginative same shit diff day one last season. Can we please sell Wallcott !

Some rumours as well that we've tied up Reiner Jesus transfer! Wouldn't join till 2020 but extremely highly rated youngster from Brazil. Best since Kaka apparently.

So it turns out his name is pronounced Moy-za Ken. That screws up all the 'Keano' chants.

How reliable do you see the rumours of Reinar Jesus Sam?

Would be a heck of a coup, I have never seen him, but by all accounts he's highly thought of.

But 40 million for a 17 year old who hasn't yet played first team football. mental

Gbamin can play centre back apparently. Swap him for Besic plus £20m.

Maybe Gbamin is seen as the CB. Keane definitely plays better with a more mobile partner.

I've done extensive scouting of Gbamin via a 6 minute YouTube video, and as an expert on him, I can tell you he's a beast.

Moys Za Ken Moys Za Ken Scored Aggen !!! Repeat to tune of here we go here we go

More rumours this time about a bid for Malcolm?

Sam #184, if that's true we've beaten Real Madrid and the RS to a very exciting young prospect.

And since we appear to be bringing in Moises and Jesus, we need to get a bid out quickly for Mohamed Salah.

Fran, not super reliable but seem to be a a few different people saying it.

Yeah, 40m for a kid untested at first team seems ludicrous but I imagine that fee is 50% clauses etc. if he's half as good as some say he'll be worth twice as much in 4 years time.

Mike, we do have Muhammad Besic already

Ha Mike!

Could be a very exciting if true. And if he's as good as he looks/sounds.

Damn, Andrew, you're right. Bring him back and give him a locker immediately.

I truly forgot his first name. Always referred to him as That Effing Besic.

I prefer it pronounced Moysie Ken. Which is how it sounded to me on Serie A commentary.

I was quite buoyant about this signing. Then I read in Mike G's post #173 about how the lad scored 6 in 6 in Juve's Title run in, and it brought to mind Tom Davies's Uncle Alan!

Crazy when £53k per week doesn't seem a lot.

Mike (173) - I hope you are right, and at 19 there is a lot of room for experience to bring improvement. I watch the goal versus Milan and see Kean drifting across into a space that is wide open for Bernardeschi, and a Kean run towards the near post would leave leave Berbardeschi 1-on-1 with the keeper. I don't think Kean noticed his team-mate, otherwise taking the one defender away with him would have been the brilliant run (in my book anyway).

Josh (170) - “Wet blanket”? That for me? Apologies for not swallowing the hype about Kean without thought or question. I hope he becomes the best player who ever played for us. From what I've seen though I think - without the Rolls Royce supporting cast that he had at Juve and with the Italian National side (for his goals against Finland and Lichtenstein I believe) - he could possibly struggle, certainly to begin with, and maybe even full-stop. Hope that blanket isn't too wet for you...

Daily Fail reporting we are after Malcolm for £40m. Malcolm and Kean for £70m ! Less than Zaha price if true. I wonder if Richie got the nod on this one. Walcott to Southampton next in swap for Lemina or Gbamin in and a n other out the door.

I've seen the boy play a few times when watching the bundesliga highlights and always played in the middle of the park. I doubt he is going to be a CB for us except for emergencies.

He is Ganas replacement..I'm sure a CB is in the offing and wouldn't be surprised to see Kurt make an amazing u turn

James 189, ha ha - love it!

Peter 183
I hope we play 4,3,3 but doubt it as that doesnt leave much room for Siggy. Ive always liked that formation better because teams are then more compact in the middle and the 3 ahead can also play closer together and leave less gaps. I'm not convinced that Silva would change his preferred formation though.

Still nothing announced as far as I can see. Are we jumping the gun?

Fran (186), it is being reported on another Everton website that Jesus Reinier is being signed with him being released back to his Brazilian club until January, the reason being Brazilian players can't leave the country until they are eighteen.

Maybe Jay Wood our resident Everton rep. can throw some light on this possible signing?

We have signed the young Brazilian lad, 40 million

Phil, Sky are saying he may have medical tomorrow so there will be no official announcement likely until the end of the week earliest I assume.

Phil (205), Neil ( 208) From what I have read in another post ( possibly even on another site) is that all the paper work has been agreed and signed off by Juve and Everton and he is flying from Italy tomorrow (Wednesday) for a medical.

Well, if he signs and does the business, fair play but these type of players come with no guarantee as we know.
I just keep asking my self why would a club like Juventus let such a prospect leave if he really was as good as all the experts and pundits seem to think, I hope they are all right and we get another Lukaku.

Looks like Silva is after more goals this season, I hope the "project" doesn't go belly up and I am saying he is a genius after 10 games !

Hugh #209, thanks

He needs to sort out his goal celebrations almost as cringeworthy as Fannyel Slurrydge :(

Oliver #210, I think I read somewhere that Kean missed training or there was some sort of discipline issue leading to Juve putting him for transfer. I think their initial insistence about buy back clause says a lot.

I can't believe it until it's announced. Even then my mind will drift towards Riquelme. And if, by chance, we do get the deal done it probably will be stipulated that Juve can buy him back for £5M in 6 months.

Yes Neil,
I'm sure I heard one these pundits saying he has the "Balotelli" in him! We need a goalscorer, lets hope he is the one.

If the Reiner deal has been done I hope f n Brexit doesn't scupper him coming in January. Tony @29 an expert on that sort of thing but he needs his trousers on first before committing himself on that front.

Dare I get excited yet? Gomes done, Delph done, the Italian and the Brazilian near to done? About a dozen players already moved on through sales or loans.

Those guys who we've been throwing toys out of prams because we didn't sign anybody before the window closed (!) might just be right? Where are my toys? Ah, on the floor.

So the BMD show this week was another example of distracting us from a disastrous summer? As if we couldn't see through all that. BMD will never happen just like we've signed nobody this window.

Steady, Stephens, premature.

This kid has some real good pedigree despite his youth.
Capped by Italy at all levels so far and 7 goals in 17 appearances last season for Juve.
This player could be the real deal to partner Richarleson so fingers crossed.

This lad keeps getting compared to Lukaku, but he's not a like for like, this lad is quicker, better control, better passer, and more skilful.
I don't think any of us really know just how good this lad is, and how amazing and important he's going to be, he's a next level player, he's really that good.YEAH

Neil # 219 - I agrée with everything you said except you forgot to mention - he scores lots of goals too ;)

I was worried he could be another Balotelli (prodigy who'll waste his natural talent) but after doing my homework the kids feet are firmly on the ground. He does have a temper though.

Will be able to fit nicely into the U23s for a few years to get ready for the PL :)

Someone pinch me, I must be dreaming! First time I think I've been completely and utterly flabbergasted by a signing.

First heard the rumours and instantly called bullshit. This is one of the hottest properties in world football. Why would Juventus sell? Why wouldn't a Champions League club snap him up? Surely he'd cost £80m+ etc etc.

He has long been touted as the "next big thing" in Italy, and it's not like he disappointed when he finally burst onto the scene this year. A goal every 89 minutes for the Italian Champions. Two goals in two starts this year for the national team.

He looks the real deal to me. A real handful.

Absolutely buzzing about this one. Buzzing I tell you!

I am dreaming though right?

Incredible bit of business. We've just signed one the best young strikers in the world. Wouldn't it be fantastic if we've also spent 㿔m on Reinier Jesus. Only the worlds biggest clubs spend that kind of money on Brazil's stars of tomorrow.

He looks tall, quick and unafraid to get the boot in. Could be an ace signing, here is hoping.

Believe it when I see him in an Everton shirt holding a scarf above his head.

His last name, according to the linguists on ssn, is pronounced Ken as in Barbie's Ken. Not Keane as in Robbie and Roy.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

Chuffed if we get this over the line and we'll done Brands

You tube highlights look good but not great - I don't see the searing pace or amazing skill (compare Zaha's dribbling for amazing skill for example)

BUT I do see a goal scorer- let's please hope to God that this is the case

Neil #219, bit overboard there. No, no, this lad is NOT a better passer than Lukaku.

I know the hate-Rom brigade never bought into it, but the big guy is a superb passer with exquisite touch. He racked up 29 assists for us in 166 appearances -- excellent for a solitary striker -- and some of them were absolutely elegant.

In his entire Serie A career, 35 games, young Mr. Kean has one assist.

And he is not, at least not yet, more skilful than Rom. He still has a high rate of turnovers off his dribble.

Marcel Brands is the best thing to happen to Everton in a long, long time.

Bobby Thomas... I so agree.

Here's hoping that the signing of Kean inspires Ellis Simms to work hard and bring his game on.

Also hoping we sign Tomori on loan with an option to buy. He looks a player.

Bobby Thomas... I so agree.

Here's hoping that the signing of Kean inspires Ellis Simms to work hard and bring his game on.

Also hoping we sign Tomori on loan with an option to buy. He looks a player.

Agreed Bobby
When he first looked at the job he probably spent a couple weeks laughing and pacing. Huge job he took on... he is doing it so much better than expected but everything we hoped. Hopefully he doesn't ruin it by bringing in a Charlie Austin

Hope we don't get a bunch of very disappointed ToffeeWebbers on here if there's a complication with the medical or United or another moneyed club pinch him off us at the last minute.

Fingers crossed it all gets locked away soon.

Mike@229, i am not a Lukaku hater but I have to disagree with your comments regarding his exquisite touch!!Most Utd fans would tell you the lad can, t trap a bag of cement!We saw some of that poor control whilst he was with us. Yes he does quite often make killer passes, but he also regularly overhits them too.
As for Moise not having the same skill level yet, i would suggest he is already more skilful. Lukaku generally powers past players using his pace and strength, i don, t recall him beating too many players with his skill, if any. Moise looks to have a very good skill set by comparison. At the end of the day, i am just delighted the young lad appears to be on his way to Goodison Park!!

Annika, I must tell you that I care less about ManUtd fans' opinions than I do about North Koreans. I drew my own opinions about Rom from watching his four years with us, and in my opinion the old "bag of cement" canard was long extinct by his final season. He worked really hard to improve in that area and became a fine hold-up player.

Regarding his superb passing touch, I had the same debate with another TW poster here shortly before Rom left. I spent hours researching, finding and posting links to YouTube videos of the best 10 of those 29 assists. My debate opponent conceded the point. I won't do the same now because Rom's long gone and I don't have the time, but in my opinion he was a brilliant passer for us. I'm not sure who else ever put up that many assists for us in four seasons, but whoever it was certainly wasn't playing the lone striker position. That man could pass.

As to whether Rom beat players with skill, jog your memory with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wk7wrcdcag

Too bad you can't ask Cahill about Rom's skill.

Surely this must be the death knell for Tosun and Niasse, so there may be some more dosh into the pot and another two off the wage bill, even if it means giving Oumar a locker to take away with him as a memento.

Fingers crossed the medical goes well, and then the rebuild is truly underway.
We can and should be able to match and beat any offer made for malcom who would be another huge addition.I for one have predicted a gradual rise from mediocrity perhaps the genius that is Brands will make this happen quickly.

I believe!!!! COYB

The quality of players we have been linked with since Brands arrived is notable

Is that because we now have money, Brands or both?

I just feel Brands knows what hes doing he comes across as calm and professional operator. Arguably hes been one of the most important pieces of the jigsaw, given his promotion to the board I think Moshiri is impressed also.

Mike G - that's one hell of a goal. Cant believe I don't remember that match!

Lukaku wasn't a success at Man Utd because they didn't play to his strengths, simple as that. He scored more at Everton because they did, particularly Martinez.

Mike #236 that Lukaku goal against Chelsea was phenomenal. I'm praying that one of our new signings can deliver like that and that Richarlison develops in the same vein.

Hope he will turn out to be more than a flat-track bully like Lukaku who has proven what he's worth at Man Utd.

I think this could be special. Never understood the value put on Lukaku. Always scores the last of 3 when the game is over. Did nothing for Everton.

Is this one where the blue faithful will camp outside Finch Farm to welcome our new hero? Or is that kopite behaviour?

Mike, and therein lies the problem of Lukaku. I've said on another thread he has enough in his locker to be as good as Drogba, and I thought Drogba was one of the best modern day centre forwards. However, as good as he was against chelski in the cup quarter final, and he did win that game single handed, he was terrible come the semi final against United. Missed good chances and a penalty. He never did it consistently especially in the big games. Played as and when he felt like and that's why he will never be top drawer.

Lukaku was good for us against teams like West Ham, West Brom and Southampton. He rarely showed up against the so-called big teams. I can only recall the first derby performance at Goodison, the QF cup game against Chelsea mentioned above and I think he scored a good goal at the Etihad when Bolasie set him up, if memory serves. He was mostly anonymous when it mattered and the semi-final against United was the last straw for me given his "I want Champions League football" comments. His problem is that he is nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.

I've watched him play twice for Juve and I can definitely say he's quick, can finish too. A brilliant and exciting signing, this one. Now for a centre-back and maybe another striker if we can offload Tosun.

Craig, the whole "doesn't show up against the big clubs" argument is a load of rubbish. In his last season at Everton, he scored as many goals against the top 6 as any other forward that season in the league, including Harry Kane. The fact is that not many score regularly against the top 6.

It was not so much as him, but us. We struggled to control the game for obvious reasons, we sat deeper, and he was more isolated. It was harder to get him the ball and it was more difficult for him to do something once he got it, as he would be deeper himself and usually very isolated.

The whole argument is a load of crap. But, who cares? He's gone. We're not debating whether Bob Latchford was a flat track bully, he's rightly celebrated and consigned to our history. Let's leave Lukaku there and be thankful for the goals and respectful as he is our record goal scorer of the Premier League era.

Let's hope those records are soon beaten by Moise Kean.

Kean playing with Keane... 😁

A new shirt with Kean on the back sounds nice to me.

Has he signed yet?

(Very loose use of the word 'imminent'...)

Daniel 239

Its because of brands I firmly believe. He's one of the best DOF. We wanted him before Walsh but Koeman wouldn't work with him. Apparently.

Ryan, maybe that's because Brands would have stopped Koeman signing Klassen, Bolasie, and Sandro. Also I doubt he would have let us pay so much for Sigurdsson and Keane. I also think that had Koeman been here with him, and when we had that period were the shit hit the fan, Brands would have been a calming influence within the club and that calmness could have been crucial to saving Koeman's job. Not that that was a good thing! But certainly when Silva was going through a tough patch, Brands was calm, and so Moshiri was calm and we got through it.

Brands is looking like the signing of the decade!

Denis, imminent means soon, and although we live in the world of rolling 24 hour sports news, soon was not going to mean hours. Apparently he's arrived in Merseyside and is undertaking a medical. If that is correct, and no reputable media outlets have said that, then I would expect to see an announcement before tea time today.

Sounds like Arsenal were trying to intervene here (as if they're short of strikers). Naughty Gunners!

I thought the medical was scheduled for Wednesday?!

252 Steve Fearns, couldn't agree more with your post.

On another note, I see Kean's brother is a bit of a social media demon. Hope we don't have more family butting in where they're not welcome (Lukaku/Vlasic).

Very excited for this signing!

His brother seems enthusiastic and may kept swept up in what I hope to be a Kean love in, once he dons the Royal Blue and starts banging them in.

Blanka Vlasic was one of the biggest celebrities in Croatia. She was an Olympic Champion and also highly regarded. Combined with being an attractive girl, she had a real platform in Croatia and people were very interested in our boy. This meant she was regularly asked about him, and some innocuous answers got twisted in our media. She was always going to say he should play more, and what's wrong with saying a losing side might not be losing if her brother was playing. She never really ran the club down in a derogatory manner, she stuck up for her brother.

Anyway, this new brother is also a professional footballer. He is 26 and plays in Italy in the third or fourth tier, but was sadly released 6 months ago and has been without a club. Since then he appears to have become a cheerleader for his younger brother and you would expect him to join Moise in the North West to ensure he settles in and doesn't get too homesick.

I think Gio Kean could have a lot of influence here.

Oh, and Everton, if Biorou Kean asks us for some tractors, just pay the man and make sure they're decent!

Talk of Henry going to Monaco, hopefully another bit of profit for a replacement. I'll be pissed off if Williams goes for less than 5 million to Wigan. Has an abundance of experience in championship and has excelled there

Steve. My eyes watched him in countless derbies where I thought he was no good and where it seemed to me that he needed three chances to score one. He looked disinterested in the key games that I remember. Maybe I'm judging him too harshly but it's the games against the RS, Man Utd, Spurs, Chelsea etc. where I judge a player. I'd need to check but how many effective goals did he get against the Sky 6 i.e. not just a consolation goal? I can vaguely remember him getting two away goals at Watford but we lost 3-2. I'm not really bothered what Opta stats tell me. There's too much emphasis on stats - who can't get a 90% pass-completion rate by passing it sideways? I have no problem if there are reasons for his performances against the better teams, if he's in a poor team etc. but when he starts intimating that he's too good for Everton FC and pushes for a move then I judge him differently. He got his dream move to Man United and now they want rid of him.

Brands is the signing of the decade. I'm not a club insider but know and have met several people (neighbours etc.) who work for the club and they all wax lyrical re: Brands I hope Mosh has set him the sort of KPI's (with associated bonuses) that we haven't dreamt of since the mid 80's.

Lukaku's first touch was and still is very poor, when he is running with the ball he is unplayable but we insisted on playing it to his feet with his back to goal which often resulting in us turning attack into defense very quickly

Lukaku's first touch was and still is very poor, when he is running with the ball he is unplayable but we insisted on playing it to his feet with his back to goal which often resulting in us turning attack into defense very quickly

Lukaku (why are we still talking about him?) had an erratic touch, not a poor one. There is a difference. A poor touch and it bounces off you nearly all the time. Lukaku was capable of sublime control. Watch back his highlight reel for many, mant examples of his touch being absolutely perfect. It was erratic because he had no consistency there and other times it did just bounce off him.

Lukaku always struggled to control 40 yard passes at his midriff whilst isolated amongst three opposing defenders.

Not a fan of this player and the only way his name should be uttered in the same sentence as Lukaku's should begin with "If only" and include "half as good".
Juventus don't make these kind of mistakes; they got rid of him for a reason. Terrible attitude greatly disproportionate to his talent. Too hard to fix for them...

Gio, would that sentence be "If only Lukaku was half as good"?

Terrible attitude Gio?

Why is that? Because he wouldn't cower to racist scumbags?

The only terrible attitude I saw in the whole situation was Juve's pathetic captain for criticising his own player rather than the scumbag fans.

Gio is clearly a Kopite troll.

Gio are you Italian?

It seemed to me, observing from the UK, that there was a cultural problem in Italy, highlighted by the racism Moise Kean suffered and Bonucci's response which was to apportion some blame to the victim (Moise Kean). Bonucci said that Kean's celebration (stood still in silence arms outstretched, in front of the Cagliari fans who had been racially abusing him all game long) was partly to blame for the racist chanting they then subjected him to. Now Bonucci backtracked and said he had expressed himself poorly, but it highlights a problem that a lot of black players in Italy have complained of.

It always seemed to me that Kean, like Balotelli, found it hard to be black and Italian and that they would be better outside of the country. Balotelli's problems did not go away, but have we really seen anything of Kean to show he would have similar issues.

Steven, Gio has posted here before, and positively. He is an Evertonian for sure.

Steve #262, isn't erratic just another word for

Erratic

Personally I like; bizarre; unreliable; wayward.

Inconsistent Eric. As I said, watch his highlight reel and see countless examples of Lukaku having a sublime touch. Sure, there are countless times it bounced off him. This makes him inconsistent or erratic. Unreliable could also sum his touch up.

I am pro-Lukaku, as many probably remember from all my posts defending him. He has weaknesses, of course, but, when we got him, it was a massive coup. He scored a lot of goals for us, and set up a lot too.

Many top players don't score well against the big 6 (except for Vardy who seems to score better against them than the rest...), and I think that narrative was used to hammer him because of a strange level of dislike which I could never put my finger on. He was our best Premier League striker after all.

But the issue with Lukaku is confidence. When it goes, his touch goes – he looks like he can't control a ball etc. And his overall game suffers more in those bad moments than most other players. But, over the course of his time for us, and indeed for Man Utd, his goals and assists stats per start were great. He more than paid his way, and brought us a massive profit.

And he will score well for Juve too. Really, Lukaku was a better finisher than Drogba, but didn't consistently disrupt and bully the opposition.

When we got Lukaku, it was a coup which seemed out of the reach for a club not playing Champions League football. Kean doesn't offer the same guaranteed goals return yet but he is just as much of a coup. He is leaving because Juve need to generate money and are looking towards the now rather than the future. But their desperation to secure a buy-back clause and then first refusal is obvious.

Anyone who claims he is a lesser footballer because Juve are letting him go doesn't follow football very closely. The same could be said about Lukaku, and he turned out fine. And Chelsea let both De Bruyne and Salah go. It is the same as criticism of Zaha because Man Utd let him go. It makes little sense ultimately – some the game's best players left a big club because their path to the first team was blocked for one reason or another.

You could build a world beating team with them, and Kean could be a wordly. He is exactly the kind of player we should target – we can't close the gap by buying players like Walcott but we can by investing in young players with huge potential.

There will be a more and more black players leaving Italy as long as the current abhorrent culture of far right nationalism is poured down from the government which is manifesting itself amongst the so called ultra groups that follow football teams in Italy. Why should talented young players like Kean put up with that, even for a career at club like Juve?

Hi Steve I am Italian. Yes we definitely have a cultural problem in Italy nothing I am personally very proud of as well as with regards to the Cagliari episode I am not proud of the people who sided with Bonucci.
I can tell you one thing for sure is that it is almost impossible for a Juventus player to have bad press in Italy and still the facts are that they are getting rid of him.
He was excluded from a vital game of the Under 21 team this summer for disciplinary problems too together with another Italian rising (maybe) star Zaniolo this is common knowledge.
If he can score 20 goals for us next season I will be as happy as any other Evertonian

Gio, many thanks for the local knowledge. Let's hope that whatever problems he has, he leaves them in Italy. We don't need a Balotelli at the club.

Thanks, Gio.

I think there is a difference between a difficult person (which is what some have said Kean is, ie strong-willed, big-headed, selfish, etc) and crazy (which is what Balotelli is). A difficult person can be different in in different circumstances, he may see leaving Juventus as a signal that he needs to work harder to get to the top, and at 19 he is only just an adult and even the best of us still had a lot of growing up to do at 19 (I certainly did for sure) and so let's be optimistic he can do so.

Gio, I think with his love of American Rap Culture, and all his dancing videos on social media, that it rubbed a lot of Italians up the wrong way, would you disagree?

I expect he can express himself more freely in England, and that he will grow as a person as a result. I'm extremely optimistic and feel this is perhaps the biggest signing we have made since Lukaku in 2014 and perhaps of the whole Premier League era.

Steven (267) - Think Gio might be due an apology there lad.

Sure Steve let's be optimistic.
I've been proven wrong before believe it or not
His music taste might improve too ;)
With regards to Kean becoming our best signing I have to say that I still have great hopes for Richarlison who is only 22yo and always seems to be working his socks off while delivering the goods.

Biggest rather than best Gio. As good as Richarlison is and can be, he was not a big signing. I'm talking our big ones where everyone sits up and takes note. Transfers like Kanchelskis, Lukaku or Sigurdsson.

Dunno about you guys but I find it very interesting that other clubs are now trying and failing to "hijack" our transfers now. I think it indicates that they see the rumors and think "what? they're getting him for that price? WE would've paid THAT price!" but they come in too late when Brands has already sealed the deal.

Who's trying to hijack the deal Josh?

Simon, Arsenal tried and failed. It's too late to Hijack Kean now, everything is signed and sealed, we're just finalising the medical now.

Lukaku was certainly big when he played at Goodison last year

It looked like he'd eaten Yakubu for lunch !

Forget Lukaku

Josh (280) and Simon (281) - apparently Arsenal made an approach earlier but Kean knocked them back because Emery wouldn't guarantee him first team football.
So, subject to injury etc. I think we can take it that Kean is going to be a regular starter for EFC.

Steve 252 - this is Everton and in Everton world 'soon/imminent' can mean anything from now to never.

Will believe it when there's the nice pic of him holding a blue scarf with a big smile on his face (as opposed to the miserable look that Lennon had when he signed).

Josh, this is why none of us know who we are going for, Brands is playing a blinder, sorting deals out before others get wind of it.

If we wanted Malcolm, Brands would not have let it go so far before trying to outbid Zenit.

So plenty of rumour talk flying around on different players.

Let's see who we get in before the transfer window closes.

Looks like Malcolm wanted to join Zenit St Petersburg because he would receive a higher salary.

Mr. Ferns, you are on a spectacular roll today. Great posts, top to bottom.

Jim #272, yours too.

Gio Mero, mille grazie for your contributions re Kean. Do you think perhaps he's just going through a maturing process? That March/April streak seemed to be quite a step up for the kid.

Thanks Mike, I was hoping for news of Kean being confirmed so I've stayed "tuned" all day long, even though I didn't expect anything before 5.00pm (BST).

Gio,
Thanks for putting some knowledgable input on this guy which most of us havent really seen play but are just going on the hype surrounding him.

If the experts value him so highly do you think he could have been effected by the culture and politics in Italy so may well up his game in a friendlier and easier environment.

I'm guessing there will be some grand unveiling with a video showing off a couple of players so it may be a while before any annoncements

Gio #274, I expect some of the bad press being driven by Juventus has much to do with the fact that he refused to sign a new contract and therefore forced the move. Their apparent desperation for a buy-back clause speaks volumes.
It must be difficult for them to accept that one of their young stars wanted to leave. Sounds like they're trying to save face.

I don't think any manager will guarantee first team football to any prospective signing.
I think when faced with competition from Aubamayang and Lacazette he would think his chances are better at Goodison with only Richarleson.
Besides, selection depends on your performances and the other offensive players have been less than impressive so if he has speed, skill and a better knack of scoring than all the others he will play most games.

Steve #271, I think what I mostly felt about Lukaku was - frustrating.

Chris I hadn't thought about that. It would definitely suit their Machiavellian style

@jay Harris He'll definitely love the British culture as he's certainly had it tough in Italy. He'll definitely grow but ultimately I believe it comes down to wether you have it in you to become a player or not. If you get to Juventus first team you must be good, from there on it's small margins

Mike that's the big question. Is he maturing? At Juve he had tons of winning mentality and experience to draw upon in the changing room, some cool heads and some knobs (i.e. Bonucci) and still I don't think he was moving in the right direction. Now all you guys are showing more caution in passing judgement than I have (the British way possibly?). Let's take my comment as just a snapshot of this moment in time and hope the Everton blue jersey will work it's magic

Gio, how did you come to be an Italian blue?

Tom (293) - this wasn't my take on things - I was quoting an article from today's Daily Mail as reported on the BBC Football website.

Steve it was in the 80s. Though serie A was big at the time we all used to love the English First Division and its style so we all picked a team. Being an Inter Milan supporter I found that the English team that most closely matched my team's values (I'd say to these days passion, history and the desire to win in an honest way) was Everton. Coming from a small town I found myself alone vs a large number of Liverpool fans which only made my support grow into love pretty quick. We also had a little connection a few years later too as one of our favourite Anders Limpar joined Everton shortly after playing for my hometown team Cremonese

I am excited! I think there's a chance we can get 5 more before the end of the window:
Kean
Gbamin
Do we think we'll push for Zaha?!
CB
RB pushing for places with Coleman

If we also manage to trim the fat:
McCarthy
Schneiderlin
Bolasie
Besic
Niasse
Mirallas
Onyekuru
(Walcott and Tosun are neither here or there for me, don't mind keeping them for back up but that's big wages)

If we manage any where near the above it will be by far the best transfer window we've ever had. With Brands in charge I have every confidence.

If Zaha is dead in the water (and I doubt Palace would want to sell their best player in the last week unless the have an impressive replacement lined up) then I see the sense in having a more experienced head to go with the youth of Kean and Richarlison. The man I'm thinking of is Hakim Ziyech who is still available (apparently) and brings great vision, goals and creativity. Sort of unexpected move Brands might pull out last minute?

What's peoples thoughts on keeping Tosun and sending DCL on loan with Kean coming inn?

Gio #298, love your story!

Phil #301, I wouldn't do that. Kean is only 19 and an unknown quantity in a new league. DCL is the incumbent starter, and he and Kean could possibly form a pacey front two. If there's a loan possible, I'd make it Tosun.

Sam #300, Ziyech to me is a lost dream. I was lobbying for him before we bought Klaassen.

Jake #299 You all have more experience with PL transfer windows than I do, but if you check the premier league transfers page it looks like Everton have already shipped out more players than nearly any other club so I think they're doing great business (if we get at least these 3-4 deals done).

Phil #301 Personally I'd let Tosun go before DCL. I know DCL can't score a goal to save his life but he brings a lot of other qualities to the team like being a nuisance to defenders and winning aerial duels which gives us the chance to switch to a direct style (scared the crap out of Liverpool this year in the 2nd half). Tosun has skills but he's far too slow or something. Also it gives DCL the chance to keep improving and getting game time whereas Tosun likely won't get much better in my opinion.

Non of our central strikers play on the shoulder of the last defender and seem to have been asked to be more involved. Interesting to see what Silva does but l recon his mind is already made up on Tosun. Tosun has a better scoring record per game but maybe doesn't fit in Silvas style as much. I'm sure he would of played more last season under our previous manager. Hope we can bring in another more experienced goal scorer that really kicks us on. Still too many players so we shall see.

Gio (298) Brother!!

I picked Inter Milan when I was a kid in the 60's for all the reasons you said about EFC-they, amongst all the serie A teams, closely mirrored the mighty blues and I have followed them to this day.

Josh #303

I should have said trim the remaining fat, because yes 100% we have already done a great job moving players on. Big squad left from the Koeman/Walsh disaster

Josh, I've also been around long enough to know a striker can suddenly catch fire and never look back. Case in point, as always, Harry Kane. DCL needs composure which comes from experience and he needs confidence which comes from scoring a few. Once he gets on a hot streak and starts scoring I expect he will explode into the player some of us believe he will be. At 22 / 23 he's no longer a young player and ends the season just short of his peak years. This is the season where it has to happen. Having Kean here and 3 years younger will give him an incentive to develop and seize his opportunity. I also think you can rotate the 2 pretty comfortably.

I became an Inter fan for the simple reason that a Italian mate supported them and gave me an Inter keyring 16 years ago. I still have it!

Anthony # 283 - I loved the Yak a great centre forward and great for the team - they loved him too.

The Smiling Yak

That made me feel even happier than I was already.

I know there is lots of speculation but does anyone also feel the club is beginning to really mean business? We seem to have an amazing scout and players seem interested in us. So is the press I notice.

To me the jury is still out on the manager but hope he will develop a great side.

I have posted a few times that I believe the club has a long term.strategy to reach a peak the year new stadium opens. Still think that.

I love the preseason excitement and anticipation. That relatively good run of fixtures at start of season could really help team believe in their chances and...and this is stretching it...make for a cheerful TW in the autumn!

DCL...
This is surely the year that the player he has been evolving into becomes the almost finished article.
I know nothing compared to a lot of more educated posters on this site but my instinct tells me he will establish himself this year, he will finally click into the forward he has been aiming to become. or he gets found out.
I know this is all a bit black + white but something tells me this is the year when we found out who DCL is.
I'm interested to know what fellow Toffewebbers think of this.

@311

There are a few dimensions to this.

Kean is young and cannot be expected to play every single game. This will give DCL plenty of opportunities.

Kean will inevitably have a dip in form. This may be initially as he takes time to adjust, or later in the season when a lack of experience will mean he has poor games.

Kean is capable of playing as a wide forward. This may allow space for he and DCL to play in the same games.

DCL has also played wide on occasions. This tactic may be used to exploit opposition full backs in the air, as DCL is superb in the air.

Ultimately, it will provide DCL with major competition and give him a chance to show everybody what he has in his locker.

Playing with team mates of increased quality may bring his game on more.

I can only see positives here from our point of view.

Laurie, I loved the Yak. If not for injury then he might have been the best striker of the PL era (for us).

Dermot, you'll be with me on Silva before Christmas.

Billy, for sure. It's The season for Calvert-Lewin. He will either start banging them in or he will watch Kean do so and head for lesser club next summer.

Nooooo Steve!

Well maybe!

But not Brands Steve. Worst comes to worst, he could recruit a new boss if needed?

Sky have a poll going on about who is the best Aussie to ever play in the prem. It's between Harry Kewell and our own Tim Cahill. Timmy is up by 70% right now so make sure you vote before 7pm. Just a bit of fun

@Ray Said Respect my dear friend. Nice to meet you on here

@Eric Myles Hahaha that makes perfect sense if you are 20 years old! Joking of course, good mate you had there

Ah, Laurie, the Yak.

Been thinking a bit about him recently as I rehab a Yak injury.

Calmest man in front of goal I ever saw. No powerhouse shot, no towering headers, just uncanny anticipation and that otherworldly certainty he was going to score.

I wonder what might have happened if we had brought him back from the Leicester loan.

I think DCL could do with a loan to someone like Rangers, see if he can score a few in the Scottish league. I don't think you can teach composure and that is something he does not have. If we are relying on a young man in his first season and DCL then we need another striker.

Gio,
Thats a great story.

I used to work for an Italian company and spent a lot of time over there between Bologna and Napoli so you guessed it I ended up supporting Napoli as my Italian team and was fortunate enough to watch them win the European cup in Napoli which reminds me so much of Liverpool.

Ray and Gio, you may not like that the license plate on my 1979 Alfa Romeo Spider is ROMA. My excuse is that I met my wife there and I did not like the Lazio fans.

Steve #313

I mentioned on Laurie's Lukaku thread that I thought Yak was a better finisher than Rom.

Yak could be a bit up and down and had an element of I'll do it when I feel like it about him. But I also felt that he was approaching his peak and in Moyes had exactly the kind of manager he needed. That wouldn't let him get away with his bullshit and coast.

His injury was a real blow to that side. In fact the injuries through the spine of the side - Jags, Arteta and Yak, stopped it right in its tracks. It was good enough to have a run at the top 4.

Yak was an outrageously good finisher. Definitely better than Lukaku. And he could play as well. If he'd have had a few seasons here at his peak, injury free, he'd have bagged loads.

No, Bobby, Yak was a poacher supreme who never seemed to miss, but he scored his goals from eight yards. He wasn't remotely as good a finisher as Lukaku, who could score from outside the area, rocket the top corner with either foot and create his own opportunities, which Yak rarely did. Lukaku scored more goals and scored much more frequently, and he required a lot less service than the Yak.

Loved the Yak, but for finishing quality... no contest.

Big call Bobby and Mike didn't like it. Let's hope Kean is better than both. Any thoughts on when it will be announced, there's now talk of the weekend or Monday? Surely things can't go wrong!

Some say Gbamin. Some say Mario Lemina again. Somebody's gotta be wrong.

Josh, I think maybe both with Schneiderlin and McCarthy going the other way.

Dominic King says we've contacted Southampton about Lemina, and that Kean is moving in the right direction but unlikely to be completed until the weekend.

He also says Nathan Broadhead is going out on loan.

Perhaps we'll get Lemina and Gbamin?

It looks like Schneiderlin is going out on loan and McCarthy will likely also leave.

I don't think Davies is going to get any game time. He should also go out on loan.

Steve, I seem to remember that transfers last summer took what seemed like ages to complete from the medical. So, I am hoping that based on that there us nothing to worry about. The optimist in me is insisting the delay is because we are going to announce Kean and Gbamin together.

Hope so Neil.

It looks like we are getting both Lemina and Gbamin? It means the writing is on the wall for McCarthy and that Schneiderlin must be off too. Maybe Marco thinks one or both could also cover the CB position? I would also fear for my immediate future if I was Tom Davies.

Some serious business being done this summer. But knowing Silva, I would expect this to be the last busy transfer window and for the future ones to be about bringing in one or two, mainly top class players, as the squad becomes well and truly his own.

Mike @323,

You think that Romelu was a better finisher than the Yak? Perhaps you're right but, in all fairness, you have to consider their respective ages when signing. Rom was 21 and the Yak was at least 39.

I've been told today that Kean was at Finch Farm this morning for part of his medical, before being whisked away before the fan event was held this afternoon at Finch Farm. Like everything else, though, I don't know how true this is. The Kean story, I mean, not the fan event!!

I don't know what it is but these washed up ex pundits are getting on my nerves.

"I've seen Moise Kean 4/5 times, he could do much better than Everton"

Rodney Marsh, if any of you bump into him, give him a bit of stick - fucking prick!

As with all our high profile signings, it takes an age because they do all those introductory videos and interviews in-house which takes time, then they have to edit them before they can announce it.

From what I've read, the agent Raiola has been in Liverpool today and Kean is in Monaco.

Fingers crossed for Gbamin as well – he looks a good player, and handy he can play at the back as well as midfield.

Anyone heard whispers about Dortmund now coming in for him? Hopefully it's all rubbish, Graeme Sharp has confirmed he's looking forward to seeing him at Everton. Let's hope he knows more than we do.

Eddie #330, if you want a chuckle, pull up the Yak's Wikipedia page. It lists him as "age 36."

I think he has shinguards older than that.

I read somewhere that a deal is already being lined up for Schneiderlin to one of the Turkish clubs. I would expect McCarthy to go to Newcastle or Crystal Palace although I think he would be a good buy for Villa or Shef Utd.

Good point about the CB position and gives Marco more cover/options. I would still like to see a dedicated CB (preferably Zouma) brought in. Maybe Zouma will happen on deadline day – again!

Does anyone know what the latest is regarding Neres as that one seems to have gone very quiet. Also, are we being seriously linked with any RBs?

I notice a lot of legends are mentioned in this thread. Just to add that another Everton legend turns 40 today. Per Krøldrup.

Rob #331, I hope you enjoyed your afternoon at Finch Farm. It's good that the club has recognised the support of someone who attended every game last season.

Rob, full respect to you and well done to the club for recognising your dedication.

Henrik @337 thanks for that.

Just checked with the online club shop, they still aren't stocking the Krøldrup-proof rubber bedsheets to prevent those embarrassing laundry mornings which inevitably follow the mere mention of his name.

Oliver @332... Rodney Marsh?

Have a look a his winners medals list, he could have done SO much better but his list doesn't show just how many times he FAILED to turn up for training 'cos he was utterly shitfaced pissed drunk.
THAT was his biggest statistic.

Never woken up by a waiter bearing vintage champagne, in a room scattered with tenners, in bed with "Miss World".

The poor mans poor George "Next" Best.

He was NEVER good enough for the club that Moise Kean is about to join.

What a sad sack.

Ed Prytherch, Class. Is she red?

Jay Harris, are we talking Maradona's Napoli? Can't really blame you. That was romantic football

Yak vs Rom in terms of finishing. It's Rom every time.

Rom has many weaknesses to his game but finishing certainly isn't one of them.

If Rom is 30 yards from the goal with a defender and a goalkeeper to beat it is virtually no contest. He's probably one of the best I've ever seen in these situations and the outcome was often inevitable.

Rom scores some truly superb goals for Everton of all different kinds of variety. And with some frequency too.

Exciting times. Awesome if we get Kean, and I really like the look of Gbamin, who looks to have one hell of a pass on him as well as being strong and athletic. His tackle may not quite match Ganas', but perhaps he can spray it about better.

Oliver # 332. I started feeling annoyed reading Marsh's BS. Then I quickly remembered that HIS opinion is worth fuck-all. If you see him just laugh.

Tommy, yes Rom did score some excellent goals when running in on goal but I wouldn't say that was his forte. How many such chances did he miss in the FA Cup semi against Man Utd? Consistency was an issue with Rom, I'd say a one in three as opposed to a one in two striker - but still the best we've had for quite some time. Trouble is teams have to adopt a style of play to suit him - not the other way around. I think he might struggle in Italy - but hey, not our problem any more.

Ed, and I thought I was the only Romanista (2nd team) on here Another “chosen” moment.

My wife took me to Rome for my birthday and by coincidence, it was the weekend of the Rome derby. It was the first one after the de Canio fascist salute. There were troops everywhere but despite high tension, it passed off reasonably peacefully. The game was no great shakes, defences on top. We were among the Roma fans so that was a decision made. Then I found out that Roma is the working-class club, historically, so it felt even more like home.

Although I do take the point about Napoli, which I see as the Italian Liverpool (city).

With reference to Ro(d)mney Marsh, he had a breed of sheep named after him. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction BAH, bah!

Alexander # 341. To add a bit of balance to the 'Hotel' story: All 3 of them (Domingo, Pavarotti and Carerras) categorically deny ever being there.

Am I the only one wondering just why, less than two weeks before the season starts, we, the clubs and the media are all saying this deal is "on", yet the player has still not stepped onto a pitch with those he presumably hopes to propel to a better position in the league come next May?

There are times I think everyone in "professional" football is these days merely in it for themselves, leaving all the graft to various others while they and their agent get mega-rich,

In this case, merely due to his age, I don't blame Kean but for Christ's sake, even as a teenage wanna-be, why does it take so effing long? Playing with his team-mates as soon as can only improve him and us, or am I missing summat?

Don 351

I absolutely share your frustration.

I think part of the problem is the endless news cycle. Years ago we didn't know we had a player until he was pictured in our shirt. We didn't know much about when the first bid was made, where the player was currently holidaying and we certainly didn't have his family members teasing us on social media.

That said, Everton do seem to drag this stuff out more than most. But maybe that just because you and I scrutinise it more.

I have never seen this guy play so I'm going purely on others comments and the hype. I watched his YouTube highlights (I know, I know) and was completely underwhelmed. A platform able to make any player look world class and I fear he looks decidedly average. Again, I haven't seen him play, so who am I to judge. I just hope we get it right.

Don #350 I think we all feel the same way but you know Everton doesn't announce until we have 6 videos and interviews as well as pics of him in the kit. For me, I just count down the days to the start of the season and try to be patient and happy knowing that it looks to be a "sure thing" which you don't often read about Everton.

Honestly can't tell if he's Lukaku, DCL or Baletelli standard of football, brains and attitude but in general any striker that scores goals in Italy shouldn't have problem of scoring in the Premier league.

Ability yes, work rate, attitude and mentality??

If I can just offer a little perspective here... with the Serie A title on the line, this 19-year-old kid scored six goals in six games to drive Juve to the trophy. Some of those were sub appearances, so it was actually 6 goals in only 300 minutes of play during the most crucial, pressure-packed month of the season. He accounted for half of Juve's goals during that stretch, in a side that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Dybala, Mandzukic and Pjanic.

And one goal was a gamewinner while he was being serenaded by monkey noises.

Yeah, he clearly has typical teenage maturity issues and we don't know how he'll develop, but I for one am not the least bit concerned about his mentality. He's gotta have cojones the size of basketballs.

Jim @ 272,

I disagree with your attempt to airbrush out the profound weaknesses in Lukaku's game with this 'confidence' nonsense. Why is that the Mancs turned on him in exactly the same way as Blues fans did?

Because they saw exactly the same weaknesses that simply made no sense for a guy with as much strength and skill and yes, confidence as Lukaku had. Very telling for me that he has not made the grade at Old Trafford.

It will be interesting, very interesting if his best ever stats were to be with Everton. And yet so many of us didn't think he was really good enough.

As for this gem: "We can [close the gap] by investing in young players with huge potential." — Isn't that exactly what Tosun, Vlasic, Besic, Ramirez, Lookman, Onyekurur, Tarashaj, even Mirallas, they were all supposed to be?

We cannot know in advance how any young player will turn out but this one is looking like a huge gamble. I hope Brands and Silva have got it right this time, for all our sakes.

Mike@236, nor do I carE about the United fans opinions to be honest, but the fact remains, in my opinion, the Lukaku was sadly lacking in some basic skills. If you spent long hours trawling through clips of him, them you would also have seen many of his missed passes and loose ball control.
I have no argument that the lad scored on a regular basis for us, but you will never convince me he has terrific control. Nor will the odd clip prove he has amazing dribbling skills. Based on what I saw when he was with us and what I have seen seen since he left, nothing has changed that much.
But I am sure if I search long enough I can find no end of clips highlighting the mis-control, over hit passes etc.

Simon (349). Superb, take a bow

Been told that we are sending our main guys to London today to meet up with the Juventus officials. Hopefully hear something later today but more likely tomorrow/Sat.

Rob #331 great to hear that the club recognises the commitment, money and time given by you and our dear friend Dave M.

In my book you two are the greatest evertonians I can claim to know.

I am proud that I am part of a club that recognises the sacrifices we have to make to get to games, unlike most clubs who just look at fans as commercial units.

Enjoy Bremen 👍

Mike@354, a little perspective on your perspective- I read that although Kean scores some crucial goals in that period the team x(g) (expected goals per match) went down a lot when he was on the pitch. Not sure how accurate this analysis was but the suggestion was that although he is a very decent goal scorer his overall game has flaws and he's not yet proficient at linking play. If true then could be he's the polar opposite of DCL. Think we need to have realistic expectations of this kid. Only 19.

Annika #356, no, you wouldn't, because they don't save those on YouTube highlights clips. But if what you say about his skills is accurate, then it only adds to his achievements, because over his four years with us he led the club in assists with 29. (Barkley had 26 over the same period.) And not only did Rom do that from the solitary striker position -- hardly a position from which assists are often generated -- but he did it by somehow overcoming all those terrible touches and overhit passes.

And it wasn't just the "odd goal" : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo_uV8pPPWo

Sam #360, I have no doubt that's all true. After only 35 top-level games, you'd certainly expect that the kid's overall game still needs a great deal of time, work and coaching.

I'm just saying that pace, strength, obvious goalscoring instinct and big fat bollocks are a pretty good starting point for a young player.

(I'm not familiar with that team x(g) statistic... as you know I love stats, so please explain that one to me when you have a chance.)

I was talking to a United fan this time last year about football, and she seemed to know her stuff. She seemed both knowledgeable and sensible, and also seemed very easy going.

That was until I mentioned Lukaku, and she lost her composure completely. Don't talk about that lazy bastard she said, I've never seen a United forward, who didn't need his kit washing after a Manchester derby, after a Manchester derby you should be carried off the pitch at the end, but this fella never even broke sweat.

I hate the way this signing is dragging on. I know it's often the case, but its a bit painful nevertheless. Assuming it does come off, I wouldn't be surprised if DCL still starts most of the matches for the moment. As has been said, the only thing DCL is missing is the predatory striker element, but his all-round game was pretty good towards the end of the season. Kean looks like he might be the opposite at the moment, as an even younger striker - a goalscorer, but less able to link or track back. Perhaps we'll start by using him as an impact sub while the coaching team work on him?

So, unless something spectacular happens in the next week, I think we'll be starting at Palace with much the same line up as last season, with Delph instead of Gueye in midfield, and Mina in for Zouma at the back.

Michael #364. I work with a group of people who follow a selection of clubs. Most of them are also waiting for news of supposedly 'done deal' transfers that have yet to be concluded.
There are so many parties/interests involved in every transfer it should come as no surprise they take so long.
Compared to most of the clubs in the top half of the PL we seem to be doing pretty well in terms of both recruiting and off-loading - with plenty happening on the last day (and of course out-going deals to European clubs have a later completion date)

Think we need to just hang on until it's a done deal. All indications are that it is, but if this lad genuinely is one of footballs hottest young properties and up for sale, others will be monitoring.

DCL may well form a spearhead with Kean enabling a 4-4-2 or even a fluid 4-3-3 in the way that the RS front three move around.
Whichever way Silva goes with this it gives him options which he didn't have before. If the midfield signings happen he will have real competition for places rather than an obvious first eleven with lesser players to come in off the bench.
Brands is really going for it- the young players who aren't ready are being sold off to raise some cash and reduce the wage bill and he is looking to replace them with better young players who are ready for the first team. This is a pretty ruthless approach in an attempt to crash the top 6 ( at least) and if the rumours about the young Brazilian are true then that is a real statement of intent and very ambitious for us. Moshiri is clearly backing him all the way.
If we sign the midfielder from Mainz I expect to see Morgan and James leave very quickly and I am sure Besic will end up at another championship club. Whether we can shift Niasse, Bolasie etc remains to be seen.

Mike 236
You might have won that point, but not this one, I'm surprised you're not managing with your knowledge.
Lukaku didn't improve his touch before he left, or he wouldn't be in the situation he is now at Utd. As for your YouTube comments, even Tosun looks world class on there. And this lad Kean, was the player that dislodged Dybala towards the end of last season, who supposed to be a 80m+ player, we could sign Messi and people would moan, this lad is what we've been hoping for the last few seasons.

Michael @ 364, I must admit I share your concern over the conclusion of this signing, it initiates thoughts of, 'don't tell us there's a hitch, and the deal is in danger of collapse', especially when we have waited for a striker for so long.

I am hoping that all will go through soon, the longer it lingers does raise those fears previously mentioned. You mention 'DCL missing the predatory striker element' I am of the opinion that you either have it or you don't and I don't believe coaching OR time will change that.

The lad can't be faulted for his general and hold-up play but I would be very surprised if he ever became prolific in front of goal.

Have we signed a forward yet?

The transfer will take time for numerous reasons. Put yourself in that position, imagine you were leaving your home country to go and live in another country - would you do it overnight? Or would you have a lot of stuff to sort out on a personal level? Such as where you live, your personal belongings, financial arrangements etc. Let's call it life admin. Yeah, see.

Contracts are legally binding agreements, and as such are extremely complex. More so today than ever before. Again, that takes time.

We always think our deals take longer than other clubs, but it's simply not true. Look at the Pepe deal over at Arsenal - announced a week ago, but has he signed yet? No he hasnt. Same situation.

The clamour for information is fuelled by the Internet, and the modern way of instant gratification. Now, now, now. Quick fixes.

There are human beings involved in this, the player, his family & friends. You don't just pick up a footballer and drop him off in a new country, at a new club and that's that.

For me a player can have all the ability in the world but if he hasn't got the right attitude I wouldn't have him at Everton.

If you look at the reaction of The Yak and his teammates when he scored that is what I want to see.

As far as comparing Yakubu and Lukaku is concerned I would say they are two very different types of striker but if you asked me who I would pick between the two of them in my team it would be The Yak all day long for me.

From the little I have seen of Kean on YouTube I would say he can run at players shoot like Lukaku did but he also seems to be able to stroke the ball into the net like The Yak.

I am hoping that we can help this young lad settle and get captured by the spirit of the club. If that happens I think we will end up with a terrific striker.

For the opposition having to contend with two young guns like Kean & Richarlison with an old hand like Bernard (😉) providing the bullets will be a nightmare.

Three days on the homepage “imminent” must mean something different than what I thought.

Michael@364, yes I think you're right about the starting lineup.

I'd bet that no-one bought from now till end of window will be in the starting XI.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Gomes Delph
Richarlison Siggy Bernard
DCL

I think we will miss Gueye especially as neither Delph nor (especially) Gomes are great defensively. In fact it may be that he starts Schneiderlin.

Replacing Gueye is going to be the hardest job I think and I rate Gbamin (if its him) but he will have to settle quickly.

James @ 371

Good points and don't forget all the work that goes in to announcing a signing on the club's side.

They have to agree squad numbers which may affect other players (and their agents), prepare video/web content for evertonfc.com, complete interviews for media, brief players and officials, produce enough replica shirts for sale and make sure stock is available at all outlets to maximise the demand spike, close off negotiations respectfully with other clubs/players/agents who may have been striker option (1/)2, 3, etc, revise transfer strategy based on remaining budget as the deal is finessed in the final stages.

There's a whole raft of work and knock on effects to deal with, mostly in secret, without considering last minute hitches and gazump handling.

James @371
Points taken regarding contracts are complicated and example of Pepe for Arsenal.
But your “life admin” reason is not really a good reason for the delay as signing a contract doesn't mean he needs to immediately buy a house and have his family moved here tomorrow or tonight. He still can fly back to Italy to arrange for his family etc

Daniel - it may not be the main reason, but it certainly should be taken into consideration. I've lived in 3 different countries, and the personal aspect is extremely important, even when I've had a job to go to.

I think a lot of people forget that footballers are human beings, and have lives beyond just the playing side of things to deal with. You've simplified it massively by saying, "oh he can just fly back and sort all that out afterwards". The point is, it does matter to people BEFORE they agree to a professional contract (not just in football).

Mike@361, i can assure you I would find them. I, unfortunately, have several Utd fans and they have watched many of the mishaps on their fan sites. Most of which appear on Youtube.
But it does, nt alter the fact that he, more often than not, has a dreadful first touch. I am delighted that Kean appears to be our player and think he will thrive. I can, t say the same about our former player if he goes to Italy. Nor I am bothered to be honest

I'll second Sam's point (374). I don't think anyone signed from now on starts the first game. There's just a chance if they're announced by tomorrow and train all next week but it's still unlikely. We will hopefully have a cracking bench though - if we get what Marco wants there'll be five new faces.

James Marshall, there is no way at all that your “life admin” will be holding up any deal ! Signing a contract does not mean he immediately moves to England for a start and lots of footballers have homes all around the world !
The most realistic reason is that a deal has still not been agreed with Juventus, a contract has not been agreed with him and his agent or more worryingly, they are playing a waiting game to see if a better offer comes in. It's almost certainly not because a deal and contract are in place but he's not signed because he's worried about his personal affects

I agree with James #278, I've lived in a few different countries myself (!) and accommodation and schooling for family have always been an important part of negotiations, more so than salary.

But when I was single I would go anywhere and put up with almost anything, but I suppose the lads parents are concerned about how he will fare a long way from home and are getting the appropriate reassurances from the Club that he won't become the new Royston Drenthe!

Gary - I haven't said it is THE reason, I said it's part of the reason. People on the Internet love to pick up on one aspect of things people say to suit their agenda and prove themselves right. This isn't about me or you being right, it's about the issues associated with a player moving countries.

As I keep saying, and you're right on this, it isn't the main reason, but it's part of the reason. See the difference?

I wish people would be a bit more reasoned in their thinking on here these days.

It's probably also worth noting that Juve have a lot going on at the moment. Dybala is involved in this swap deal with Lukaku, and while their official who deals with their transfers is in London, his plate is quite likely to be quite full.

Juve have to also think about their own PR on these deals, so timing will be important to them as well as to when they release details of transfers regarding their players.

This isn't just about Everton.

James - yes, these deals are certainly more multi-faceted now.

The days of Cloughie supposedly keeping a potential recruit up all night in his lounge until they signed are long gone.

James - yes, these deals are certainly more multi-faceted now.

The days of Cloughie supposedly keeping a potential recruit up all night in his lounge until they signed are long gone.

Alan Myers, who is usually a reliable source,
tweeted yesterday:
Transfer:
1. Scout the player
2. Agree a fee with Club
3. Agree terms with Player
4. Sort Contract and legals
5. Arrange for player to travel
6. Have medical (2 days)
7. Media preparation
8. Announce signing
All these things take time when done diligently!
I think we're in between 5 and 6

Chris, that looks roughly like the timeline you'd expect for sure.

The real problem here with fans reactions & expectations is the way the media go about things. They're all so desperate to be the first with the 'exclusive' information that they hype everyone up by announcing these deals WAY before they're anywhere close to completion so people get impatient.

"What's taking the club so long?" is the often heard complaint. Well just because the papers have 'announced' the deals doesn't really mean anything. The headline of this very thread is "imminent" when in fact it definitely wasn't imminent when the thread was created.

Expectation vs reality.

Fact is we are in a much better place than the long frustrating summers of Moyes, who has a murderous look on his face by late August, when frequently it was ‘still yet to dip into the market Everton' on Sky. Relax. The boy's coming.

To be honest, I knew nothing about this lad before we showed interest. In terms of his attributes, he seems to be a striker in the Lukaku mould (direct and strong but individual) rather than an Aguero (fast and skillful and able to bring others into the game) but after reading about him, seems he also carries a huge amount of risk that I have tried to summarise below:

He got dropped from the U21 championships for consistently turning up late for training. This seems to show a sign of arrogance and not being able to follow instructions from an authority.

His is favourite player is Ballotelli, which says a lot about how he admires those that behave as individuals and don't conform to rules.

Juve have decided that they are not willing to invest in him and would rather let someone else manage the risk, and then buy him back if he finally comes good.

With the above in mind, 㿊 million seems like a huge amount of money on someone that's only played a handful of games in a foreign. I think I'd rather have gone the whole hog and buy back Lukaku who has proved what he can do. Has anybody else got any insights into this kids attitude?

Dan, have a read of this: https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2019/6/27/18759936/everton-transfer-rumours-moise-kean-mario-balotelli-comparison-juventus-ajax-news-latest

Dan #391.

Yeh, I think Marcel Brands has an insight, mate.

As long as this headline remains the same, I will worry. Just in case Everton Imminent is a Peruvian Footie Team?

I think the timing of this is very important as well. A signing of a kid of this caliber is a PR event, and opportunity.

We shouldn't announce this on the weekend. It should be done this evening so all the papers and talk shows cover it tomorrow, or tomorrow morning for the same reasons.

Knowing us, they'll announce it at the worst time - like Sunday at 11 am.

I, too, despite understanding there's a process involving millions, am growing impatient.

But it'll all be over in a week.

We need to get this over the line PDQ /...ASAP. whatever, but get it over the line. It seems the Juventus fans are going apeshit over their club selling him, and for a relatively modest fee. The red echo (I know, bullshit paper) are running an article from a London based Juventus fan who is not happy about it.

So come on Everton, get it done PDQ / ASAP.

It is disconcerting.

Several days ago, I read that the paperwork had all been signed off and only the medical remained.

Playing cards close to your chest is one thing – but some indication from the club would ease a lot of minds.

Mr Brands and Mr Harrison were at Manchester Airport last night to meet a player on an incoming flight.

Sam #392, you always find just the right information. Fantastic article.

Hugh #397, much as we would like it, it's not the club's job to concern us or ease our minds. They will say what they have to say when the time is right.

Thanks Sam, interesting insights, especially about the desire to play football. But as Lookman found out, you have to have more than just desire if you want to play football at the top level. Lets hope that this lad is willing to come here, knuckle down and work hard for his place.

Rob 396, the Juve forum doesnt seem to be complaining about him leaving at all. In fact, I've just learnt that many fans believe he refused the contract that was offered, and has been sold by Juve as they could have lost him for nothing next year. Most are blaming his agent for this. The forum could be in sour grapes mode as they know he is leaving, but there are genuinely very few people that seem sad that he is going.

https://www.vecchiasignora.com/topic/338948-gds-kean-va-all%E2%80%99everton-juve-rivoluzione-e-maxi-plusvalenza%C2%A0il-millennial-pi%C3%B9-forte-d%E2%80%99italia-in-premier-per-40-milioni-tutto-%C3%A8-cominciato-per-%C2%ABcolpa%C2%BB-di-mario-mandzukic/

Dan #400 I saw some Juve fans on twitter that were astounded Juve were willing to sell him.

Mike #323

I hear what you're saying about Lukaku, one of his right footed top corner efforts went through my head before posted.

There's a reason I said Yak was a better finisher and not striker, or front man, or whatever. Because if I had to take one of the two, I'd take Lukaku.

By finisher I was talking about just having a chance and sticking it away. Not whether you needed someone to create chances for you or not, not the all round game of being able to create for yourself - which Lukaku actually very rarely did and an aspect of his game that's disappeared at United as he's bulked up, or, as Tommy referred to, being 30 yards from goal with a man to beat (Leicester or City away perhaps).

I was more thinking of a Greaves or Fowler type thing. If you've got a chance, ball at your feet, will you slot? Just based on that I think Yak was a better, more natural, finisher than Lukaku. Yak could just pass it in. One on one with the keeper, I'd take Yak. He was much better from the spot as well, incidentally.

However, on the basis of all their qualities as a front man I'd probably take Lukaku over Yak.

Sky Sports twitter is saying Kean will be in Liverpool tomorrow for the medical.

https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1156943863208132609

What's the hold-up? Is Riquleme carrying his luggage???

James someone's misplaced the Arteta money again

Arsenal just announced Pepe officially.

Update now on SSN - transfer section - live report from Italian Sky reporter outside Juventus training ground 1:16-minute video report.

To paraphrase – last day in juventus for Moise Kean as he is in Liverpool tomorrow for his medical with Everton. He is joining because Juve need the money and his style is more counterattacking so Sarri doesn't think he will be a good fit for Sarriball.

Anybody else think Zaha may yet prove to be a transfer window saga?

Mark (408) anything is possible - LOL.

I keep checking in the hope that something will happen. At this stage I'll settle for an upgrade from 'imminent' to pending or, better still, interfrastically.

Let's hope we get this and a few other deals over the line.

Santa will be here before Moise Kean at this rate!

I'd just like to say, seeing as we're on an Italy theme, I'd have said it even if we weren't to be honest, that I am typing this while having a beer next to the hotel pool which overlooks lake Garda.
Anything to do with the thread? Not a fucking thing.
Ciao!

Brian (414), an ice cool Desperado!!!

Bobby #402, fair enough. I think that's a good summary of the two.

Brian #414, you are a very mean person. Buona sera, signore.

Hugh J, it should be no surprise that it's taking Moise some time to get to the Promised Land.

Enjoy the good times Brian mate, and only desperate fella's drink desperado's Dave, haven't you heard of Moretti?

Tony (418), Tony that's what Brian drinks, and I am personally going to buy him a bottle of it in The Excelsior in a couple of weeks, erm if someone goes half with me !!

Cheers lads! Tony you're right I AM desperate, desperate for our club to be up there again mate and making us proud!

Mike, 417, He never made it.

Have one yerself Brian!

Like I said he landed last night in Manchester and will have a medical tomorrow. I was also told I am going to be happy by the end of next week. This is from a 100 percent reliable saurce for me. COYB Everton are back...

"Imminent" or "in a month"??

I've got a horrible feeling that this guy is going to be trouble. I expect he'll score goals but, with Ballotelli being his favourite player and Riaola his agent, I can see him dividing the dressing room and pushing for a move to “a big club” within a couple of years.

I hope I'm just being pessimistic but time will tell.

After Kean we still need 3 to 4 more in. Probably be a busy deadline coming up. I anticipate it will be like last season Bernard, Mina, Gomes and Zouma all came on deadline day.

Kunal "happy by the end of next week" is what he said.

And he should know...

Yes Geoff. I edited my comment after re-reading it. Sounds positive.

Guys it's normal to be apprehensive about a player but just give him a fair chance and show him support. As others have said, he's just a kid right now and could mature a lot when he's around a great core of players like we are building at Everton.

Kean, Gbamin, Zyech and De light.

Top 4 if we swing that

Joe #425: maybe he will just grow up?

Let's hope. Only young

Jay, after selling us Moise Kean, I can't see Juve selling us De Ligt. After all, they only signed him two weeks ago!

I can see De Light at the end of the tunnel.

Dermot - agreed. We can hope. Hasn't really worked out for Balotelli though has it? Fair play, his goal scoring record is superb but he's never been anywhere for more than a couple of seasons. Not someone you can build a squad around.

I've seen references to Ziyech but can't find any links that refer to us / Brands etc.

Does anyone have any news on this?

Gio #295,

An interesting perspective on Kean, by actually watching him play. It's easy to forget he is 19, and get carried away by transfer excitement. He will develop – and hopefully he is given the time and chance to – at Everton.

I think it's on a site called Everton Vital, Hugh.

Joe, @425,

I think it's more likely he looks up to Balotelli because he's the highest profile black Italian footballer. The racist abuse that he's faced Balotelli has faced too.

And in that context you can see how his admiration of Balotelli's larger-than-life personality might actually be a good thing. It suggests he's not afraid to express himself (and how often have we bemoaned the lack of characters in the squad?).

Tony (437) - Thanks.

This one must be close to completion, or there's some last-minute contract changes.

Maybe it's almost there, but if not by Saturday, I'd have some doubts.

Gio, thanks for the insight from Italy, and welcome to the Everton Family.

Inter has always been my Italian team, and here's to success this season for our teams.

All quiet on the western front then?

Colin, there's pictures of the new third kit that's been leaked. It's dark or navy blue with purple for the badge and sponsors logo. Looks similar to a past kit but with purple.

Here's a nice puff-piece from The Guardian:

Moise Kean's huge talent can light up the Premier League stage with Everton

The forward, who has shown his potential for Juventus and Italy, will hope more playing time can help him flourish.

And one from the Daily Mail:

Italian super-agent Andrea D'Amico says Moise Kean can be Everton's new striking hero following Juventus move.

They all seem convinced about the lad...

Michael, I love the British press!

Steve,

I stand corrected. I had forgotten that.

There was a NewsNow feed today that said we were interested in De Light.

In the excitement, I forgot he had already gone.

Just in case anyone was getting a bit worried... Paul Joyce has just tweeted it's a done deal subject to medical tomorrow (Friday).

Paul Joyce is one of the most reliable there is on this sort of thing.

Oh, and the number of reds commenting on that tweet, saying that they "don't care", is testament to the fact that a) They really do care, and b) They're shitting their pants.

I don't do Twitter but, if I did, I would be asking Paul Merson if he thinks Arsenal have ruined the transfer window with Pepe.

Anyway, back to business, here's hoping we get this one over the line, with a couple more late surprises.

Kunal @ 100,

You can't say 'Keano' 3 times in a row?

That summons up Steve Kean from Hell and he will take over as manager.

I'm not sure about anybody else but I am getting quite concerned in the lack of transfer activity. Is Moise Keane signing? If he does great but no good having a striker when we have the same issues/players behind him.

We need to replace Gana and that is a big loss; we need another centre half and right back to replace Coleman if injured. I also think we need a decent winger.

Michael #443 - just read my copy of the Grauniad with the article you refer to. The Guardian would have had this article prepared for today on the expectation that a firm announcement was to be made yesterday. Either it knew no more than the rest of us but are publishing this on the basis that they have nothing else to put in; or they know something we don't. I hope the latter!

Going to be an exciting week for Evertonians!

I'm still convinced we will bring in 4-5 new players over next 7 days.

Kean is practically done. Gbamin will hopefully follow soon after. Then the mystery ramps up but think we'll see a RW and a CB and very possibly a RB too. Last two may well be loan moves. Plus a heap of outgoings. Busy Brands.

Everton have reached an agreement with reigning Super Lig champions Galatasaray for the transfer of Cimbom striker Mbaye Diagne, according to Sabah.

https://everton.vitalfootball.co.uk/31-goals-4-assists-everton-reach-agreement-for-lethal-e15m-hitman-keen-on-euro-future-report/

Like the sound of this guy...

On BBC "Gossip" today - a link to an article on "90 Mins".
According to said article, Man Utd turned down chance to sign Kean and Juve have let him go because they are not convinced he is going to make the big time.
I am truly beginning to believe that there is a conspiratorial press campaign to discredit EFC - what I don't know is why?

Everton to buy a quality striker AND Big Sam to be n Strictly 🙂 who would have thought it !!!!

Good catch, Gerry!

Amazing what you can read in the press! This is a direct cut-and-paste from the 90min football website:

"Juventus believe they are getting a great deal from Everton, with the reigning Serie A champions not convinced about Kean's long-term future. They simply do not see the teenager developing into a top class forward."

Haha, Mike.

I hope no-one reading this thread has a spouse due to give birth.

When the doctor tells them things are "imminent" they might head off to Spain for a fortnight.

Done deal in the next 24hours. The kid should be in town today for his medical. Expect Everton to spend until tomorrow dicking about making videos of him looking awkward then giving an interview in Italian about how Everton was always going to the club for him, as soon as he heard we were interested.

"Everton is a big club, and the manager convinced me straight away this was the place for me. I will give everything for the team, my team mates and the fans. I will always give 100%"

Kean goes on to say, "Yes, there were other teams interested in me, but Everton is a big project with big plans, and the manager, along with Marcel Brands made it clear to me that Everton was the best place for to develop my game".

There, now you don't need to wait. Off you go to the Internet to look at those Photoshopped pictures of him in our kit that his Brother posted the other day, and the deal is done.

You're welcome.

Hugh you are spot on. Don't know why but they hate us and adore the RS.

James @ 460, so it's you who does all the PR for EFC, how long have you been doing that? Here's me thinking you were just a TW'er like the rest of us. 😂

I went out and bought a pack of Bic pens they should arrive at GP this morning and then Bill can jump on his Uncles bike and take one to FF incase they have run out too.

Just thinking how long is it since a player called Ken played for EFC, Sansom?

Why don't we have a Bert Scroggins or a Wilf Stubbins playing anymore.

Why is it that all Everton transfers take longer than Brexit?

Maybe its me being paranoid but the longer this drags out the more I'm getting nervous its going to fall through

In terms of anti-Everton bias on the BBC, the headline they ran on Yerry Mina appearing in an online advert for a gambling company was “Everton defender charged by FA for betting breach”. If you ask me that is a slightly disingenuous headline, designed to make it seem worse than it is - like Mina himself had been involved in betting of one kind or another. If anything it was an advertising breach. Unhelpful.

With eight days to go to the start of the season we are still awaiting a right back, a centre half, a replacement for Gana, a winger and the finalization of the Kean deal. In addition we have numerous players who still have to be moved out.

Given the above I reckon that we are looking at the starting line up for our last home game against Burnley with Mina and Gomes replacing Zouma and Gana.

As things currently stand we need to do some business in the last 8 days with a centre half still being the priority, nothing has changed in this regard.

Rumour has it that some of the key positions in both the BBC and Sky have been taken up by ex Liverpool employees following glowing recommendations by the club itself.

The cnacer within teh media spreads.

For me the biggest shame is that Carragher somehow managed to keep his job after gobbing in teenage girls face, yet Keyes and Gray are caught making a sexist remark off air and its an immediate sacking.

Double standards if you ask me unless your boss is also a kopite.

Jay @430

Hakim Ziyech has said he'll only leave Ajax for a top club.
That's a thing we're aspiring to be, but we're not quite there yet.
In other words, once we start qualifying for the Champions League, we can attract a better quality of player.
Just like Paulo Dybala asking silly money (I think 350k a week) off manure, because they don't play Champions League, and that miss costs money.

The Collins Dictionary definition of imminent:-
liable to happen soon; impending
Perhaps we need to change the headline of this thread to "Dragging On"!!

Reports on Sky sport that Gbamin is having his medical at this moment!

Sky reports Gbamin undergoing a medical at the moment.

Andrew Keatley @466 I completely agree. When you read the text it says the charge is about "participating in an advertisement for betting activity which is prohibited from engaging in". So the infringement is actually about advertising not betting.
I also saw an article, but can't find it now unfortunately, that highlighted he did no more than Klopp was doing last season with Bet Victor but, because they sponsor the club, that was deemed OK

Hot off the press - SSN - Live Transfer Feed:-
Mainz midfielder Jean Phillippe Gbamin is undergoing a medical at Everton ahead of a move to the Premier League, Sky Sports News understands.

The 23-year-old is expected to replace Idrissa Gueye who left for PSG earlier this week for £29m.

Gbamin is the new Michael Ballack apparently.

SSN are not often the first to break stories. And often get them wrong. Though Alan Myers is reporting it too and he's usually a bit more reliable. Still I wouldn't be totally sure Gbamin is having a medical yet. No reports from Germany.

Are they waiting with Kean to make a double announcement with Gbamin perhaps?

Hugh, you seem to have more trust in SSN's dubious outpourings than I do, hope it's right, but I will only believe it when I see it either on OS or TW.

This is Everton believe it when they war Blue not until then

So where will Delph play then?

I do think Gbamin sounds like it will happen. I hope so. Watch this: Link

Fast, strong and pretty decent distributor especially with long balls. Like the best parts of Gueye and Schneiderlin!

James Marshall, you forgot the nod to Bill Kenwright, so single-handedly persuaded him to come.

I'd relax everyone, this is going through, we're probably just sorting out Raiola's fees. It's typical of him to add things into a deal once everything is agreed, such as to suddenly produce a big bill for services, which Juve then say they aren't paying and we have to haggle over paying it. This happened in the Pogba deal, where a £100m transfer saw him pocket more than Juve. Expect this to suddenly become a £40m transfer with Juve only getting £27m.

The guy's a parasite on the game, but we have had some benefit from his services in the past. Hopefully we announce it tomorrow, otherwise it'll be Monday morning.

Agreed Steve, he should be banned from the game. The whole system needs looking at and proper rules to stop these greedy bastards.

Daniel I expect the pecking order for Midfield is:

DM: Gbamin / Delph
MC: Gomes / Delph / Davies
AMC: Sigurdsson / Davies

Not suggesting we play a DM, a MC and an AMC at the same time in precise positions, more that DM is the Gueye position, or a midfield anchor, and that the MC is the Gomes position and the AMC is the Sigurdsson position.

If we sign Lemina, then he is backup for Gbamin. Though both are capable of playing CB. Lemina I have seen play as such, I have no clue about Gbamin other than he has and klopp wanted him to do so.

Sam, thanks for the link, the guy does look to be good, but don't they all on Gluetube? Do you think he'll pass the medical with long balls?

Derek, watch the "incoming" striker from Galatasary on YouTube, he looks like a Sunday League player. So, no, not everyone looks good on YouTube!

Daniel,
Delph will start the season I'm sure. Then it's his to lose. If Gbabim is any good hie will probably step aside. Then again he could rotate with Gomes, play in Bernard's position... or Silva could change the shape of the team (probably only due to Siggy being injured though). We need a strong bench. I hope Silva learns to rotate better than he did last year... and plays his subs earlier,... oh and learns that he can actually change shape during a game once in a while.

Steve, good point there, he's not the fellow (Galatasary/ Mbaye Diagne) that we've been linked with in the video is he?

David, also good point with reference to Silva last season, in his treatment of subs and the timing of them. It used to annoy me so much, when the game was crying out for change/something different early on, and not only leaving it too late, but brought on like for like, grrr!

I think Delph - if fit - will play instead of Gomes when we need to be more compact in front of our back four; so Delph will play as a second defensive midfielder alongside a Gbamin or, and it hurts me to say this, a Schneiderlin if that's our best option. I imagine Gomes to play in games we expect to dominate possession.

Would basically agree with Steve Ferns's groupings. I wonder if Bernard might also get the odd nod in AM in the event of Sigurdsson losing form or fitness.

Derek #488 " and not only leaving it too late, but brought on like for like [subs], grrr!"

We might be thinking of different games, Derek, but there were games where the instant reaction on Live Forum for example was that the sub was like-for-like, when in fact what was being changed was the formation. Maybe we have different games in mind.

Derek@485 I think most players can look decent on YouTube compilations but there are certain traits you can see. With Gbamin you can clearly see that he is fast and strong and hits a decent amount of accurate crossfiekd balks. This combined with his stats for interceptions, tackle success and passing completion give me hope that he could prove to be another Brands masterstroke. Time will tell.

So are the Evertonians camping out at Finch Farm waiting for the new arrivals like the other lot do at Melwood.

No, because we all wander down after we have had breakfast but they have to travel up from London/West Country or fly in from Norway.

I can see us start the season with (4-3-3):

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Gomes Siggy Delph
Richarlison DCL Bernard

SUBS: Lossl, Holgate, Davies, Gbamin, Walcott, Kean, Tosun?

I would say that is a strong starting XI and a pretty decent bench, but happens if (God forbid), we have some injuries? Is the squad strong enough - the answer for me now is 'No'.

Talk is that CB is the next priority. And that Zouma is still the target. Can't see how that is going to happen myself but strange there have been almost no other links other than tenuous ones to Tomori.

Lets see what ace Brands has up his sleeve now.

Derek, yes the same striker, Mbaye Diagne. He looks awful.

As for subs, every fan of every club I know moans that the manager makes subs too late. Essentially, it's bollocks. Usually it means the fan was not happy with the team selected and wants the guy he thought should be on the pitch as he anticipates said player would suddenly make a huge impact.

The manager has far more insight, including how the form of the player, how he slept, how he's looking, and how the other players are. As well as additional factors. We also don't know what the game plan is, for example a Moyes game plan of keep it tight and sit deep for 70 minutes, would mean you don't make a sub if it's 60 minutes and 0-0. You would wait for 70 minutes and a tactical shift which may require a sub to implement it.

Fans want subs sooner as they are impatient. Being hauled off as early as most fans want players hauled off can be devastating to the player's confidence, and keeping that high is a key thing for the manager.

As for changing things, we didn't have the players last season. You often looked at the bench and there was nothing there. With Delph, Gomes, Gbamin, Sigurdsson, and Davies, there is the ability to have quite different tactics, shapes and formations in the middle of the park. Therefore, we could change things considerably and so Silva might make earlier subs for tactical reasons, ie taking off Sigurdsson to plug the midfield and hold onto a lead, or taking off Gbamin and going for an equaliser with more firepower.

We look short on the wings. Richarlison and Walcott are wide forwards, not offering much creativity from midfield. Whilst Bernard is a creative player but not much of a wide forward. Without Lookman, we only have Mirallas to turn to, especially after the impressive Broadhead gets packed off on loan. Perhaps Silva sees Kean or DCL doing a job out wide. Or more likely, we will swoop for someone on deadline day. Hopefully it's one of Malcom (still not joined Zenit), Neres or Zaha.

Sam @ 491.

I also noted his accurate spraying of the ball out to either wing, not just with his right foot only.

But what impressed me most, all the more so given the position he plays (centre mid or CB) was how he 'stands up' in the tackle. No going to ground or sliding in. Giving his build that increases the odds in his favour to win the ball.

Nice change of pace and very speedy and alert in what options are available to him in his passing having won the ball, also.

Jay #496 - that "not sliding in" was a thing I admired in Gana.

Time will tell, as Sam says.

Ajay @493, yes I'd say that's how we will line up at Palace. Maybe the bench might change depending on who we sign in the next 7 days but I doubt if there'll be any debutants except Delph. Possible that Walcott will start I suppose, with Bernard dropping to the bench and Richarlison switching to the left.

Phil (492) - LOL - waste of time for the Kopites to go to Melwood now - they have sold it for housing development. Their training ground was moved 2 years ago.

Ajay, I think you need to change it slightly:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Gomes Gbamin
Richarlison Sigurdsson Bernard
Kean

Subs: Lossl, Baines, Holgate, Delph, Davies, Walcott, Calvert-Lewin.

Need CB and Winger for sure.

Those links can mean nothing but this Gbamin, looks like an athlete who eats up the ground, and a two footed player who is always looking for the forward pass.

Steve #500, agreed except I'm not sure Kean will be handed the starting job on Day 1.

Hope so Tony.

Mike (502) agreed - but Steve (500) that is some impressive line up. I am truly excited beyond measure for the first time in many a long season.

Hugh while I too am excited about the new season, I'm also aware that assuming you're right and Kean doesn't start at Palace, we'll be fielding an almost unchanged side from the end of last season, but with Mina instead of Zouma (not a good thing), and Gbamin instead of Gueye (best we can hope for is that he's as good as Gueye initially). I'm not going to get too carried away yet.

Michael, I would expect Delph to start the first match instead of Gueye and Mina instead of Zouma. That is unless Gbamin and Kean look very sharp in training.

Michael (505) - understood - but if we can continue in a similar vein to the way we finished last season we should be able to account for CP and notch up 3 points whilst our new signings are getting acclimatised and inducted into the system.

Brent, @ 490, sorry but have been out all day since my post, but yes I do believe in the content of what I said, I am very dubious of whether Marco Silva is the man to take us forward.

I know in Managerial terms he is, well almost a novice, who has been exceedingly lucky to be appointed as Manager/Coach of our great Club, but some of his decisions leave me bewildered.

Derek I was just referring to some of the games when I thought some were a bit too quick off the mark to crit what they saw as a like for like change when it turned out to be a formation change.

Haven't read through this thread but considering this story was posted days ago and Gbamin has signed since and at the same time his family are saying he turned down Man U, I sense something wrong. What is the delay unless he his using us to get something he considers better

Neil 510
Raiola is what is wrong!
I don't trust him one bit.
He travelled to Liverpool 3 days ago, so what has he been up too, in probably the busiest period of the window.
I posted earlier on this thread regarding his claim that Lukaku was 99.9999% staying, and off he goes to Man Utd.
I sincerely hope and probably am wrong, but what's taking so long?
Answer Raiola.

Why hasn't this happened yet? What's the hold up?

Kase, he flies in today for his medical and signature. Whenever Raiola is involved it's always complicated as he's only interested in his own piece of the pie.

Remember how he dissed us about Lukaku signing for a bigger club if he had been his agent? This will go through but only once this fat tw@t is satisfied.

Brands is an impressive operator. This window marks a next stage of careful recruitment. We will have a highly competitive first 11, with some quality depth.

It'll take a little while to settle down again but it is also worth remembering that it'll be another year until we get a chance to recruit into the under 18s (I think), and noticing the trend of moving on many of the under 23s could indicate a clearing out below as well as in the first team. I suspect this will inadvertently help a cultural shift in the youth development set up, allowing Brands time to slowly implement his playing philosophy from top to bottom, and also sort out some of the nonsense that caused the recruitment ban.

Without wanting to overuse the dreaded consultant-speak 'project', they have implemented some very astute practices above and below.

Fun times. And Kean is going to bring some fun times indeed.

If this kid cuts the mustard then expect his twat of an agent to start banging on about bigger clubs and us being too small for him.

Its the Lukaku set up MkII

I've mentioned this before, but you have to also consider Juventus stance on this. They're moving a lot of players this summer, in and out, so have a lot going on.

Timing is important to them so not this isn't all about Everton or Raiola. Juve are moving Kean, Dybala, (possibly) Mandzukic and buying Lukaku. They have a lot of their own PR to worry about, so this should temper your temper when it comes to the Kean deal.

The Lukaku move for Juve is very much a political one - a huge part of that move is merely to stop Inter from buying him. Conte is a big Lukaku fan and tried to buy him earlier in the summer. This has become a big issue in Italian football, hence the whole deal to bring Lukaku to Juve being their main priority. Moving Dybala as part of the deal has also been extremely complex because it's a swap deal. The Kean move is second fiddle to Juve, despite it being reported before the Lukaku/Dybala swap. The legal/contractual issues surrounding the swap deal are a nightmare.

There are always 2 or 3 sides to every story.

Daniel (515) - perhaps - but not in the first two seasons. By then, with such we will be a top 4 club in the CL and therefore Kean would have no need to move to fulfil any ambitions etc.

Daniel - Lukaku is a detestable character, I doubt if anyone will have an attitude as bad as his.

Daniel (515) - that should have read "with luck" not "with such" - LOL.

Assuming Lukaku does eventually sign for Juventus, or whoever, do we still get the sell on fee which was talked about some time ago?

We do Derek. £5m smackeroos!

I understand where you are all coming from, so where is he?

The team are in Germany, will he be in the crowd!!

Last post from me re Kean until it happens.

Could be bollocks but my mates a Man U fan and has just sent a WhatsApp msg that Kean is on his way to Man Us Carrington training ground after striking a deal with Juve for Kean/Lukaku and Raiola was baiting us all along

Cheers Brian 😋

Not much news on the Moise Kean situation, I can imagine him turning up imminently 5 days late, tumbleweed blowing across Finch Farm, and he encounters the FF Cat, what the f*** is going on here, where is everyone?

Rat #511, maybe Radiola is trying to persuade Tranmere, or one of our other neighbours, to outbid and pay better wages?

Sorry Ray #511.

We need an edit function for these posts!

Sky are once again saying with confidence that the deal is done @27.5min but more important that Juve have a buy-back clause in there,

Depending on what form this clause takes could take the shine off what is otherwise good business

Whatever the deal I think we all just want it done at this stage FFS, Have spent most of this week glued to this forum and am no wiser than last Monday :(

I need to get out more !!

Jer (527) - just read the sky bit - it just seems to be a re-hash of everything that has been touted over the past two weeks.

My understanding was that the paperwork between Juve and Everton was signed earlier this week - no buy back clause but first option on any offer we get if we decide to sell.

The hold up has only been Kean agreeing personal terms - which apparently was why he flew to Monaco earlier this week - and finally the medical - which is taking place today (supposedly).

Of course, the only people who are really in the know about all this are keeping quiet about it so we, as ever, will just have to wait until either our hopes are dashed, or we see him wearing the shirt and signing the contract as per Gbamin yesterday.

Daniel. Don't, not even as a joke.

Bought the Echo this morning and they did pieces about Kean.

Just strikes me they wouldn't unless they knew transfer was in the bag. They probably have closer contact than Sky and the hundreds of other sites and pages that report each others gossip.

Saw one referred to on TW the other day that worried some. I researched the journalist. (OK I am sad).He was just out of college having done a fashion degree and was based in Bristol and concentrated mostly on Bristol arts and culture.

However I can see the fun from his side. May start one myself re. rumours of an imminent apocalypse and report sightings of three darkly dressed jockeys!

Always check the writer as so much is horseshit.

@Hugh 528
Point taken it looks almost same story as earlier almost ver batim ( lazy cvnts), Will have to wait and see but we will very much have egg on our colletive faces should this fall apart

Here's hoping we can all move on with our lives 500+ plus posts and not just a few of the obligatory arguements thrown in to mix :)

I am burnt out (TFS) Transfer fatigue syndrome setting in

That Man Utd link feels horribly plausible. They are getting the run around from the guy who they want to swap with Lukaku, why not take Kean instead for a third of the price, and if so, why wouldn't he go there if offered it? IF this doesn't get done today, I think we have to prepare ourselves...

I'm getting that same feeling I used to get when I thought I was going to be jilted. And I suspected my mate had stepped in. Yes, I had mates like that.

As Phil (492) siad, we would hope that some of our fans would be hanging around Finch Farm to try to catch a glimpse or find out what is going on and that they would text / tweet when they saw him / anyone arriving for the medical - etc.

It seems though that our fans don't do that type of thing?

I think Everton have had a good transfer window with more good news to come, but the sooner the window closes the better, I'm okay but I fear for loads of fans, they are going to finish up with massive fuckin' ulcers, worry, worry, worry, fret, fret, fret, relax for fuck sake, you can't do anything about the signings !!!

@Dave 536
Thanks for that somebody needed to say it, ,I feel better now (kinda ) we just brought on Walcott in Germany though !!!!

Ulcers I wish I had seriously asked my Cardiolgist this year whether supporting Everton had direct correlation to health issues :)

Does imminent mean, 'on the verge of collapse'?
You can see the way Raiola is playing this.
Get Juventus to accept lowball offer- tick
Get enormous backhander off my friend in Monaco so we pick Everton over everybody else- tick
Get favoured journo to announce the deal is done, and then and only then, insist that his new contract has a buy out clause of fifty million, so we can ensure an easy get away next year and start this whole thing over again- pending.

If he was having a medical at Finch Farm today, surely someone would have seen him and tweeted or texted it – as is the modern way. What is happening?

Yes surely someone would have seen him and tweeted that he was at Finch Farm. I hope all is well with this move. If he was having a medical surely it would be done early.

Longest medical in history.

There is no medical as I bet a 𧴜 Kean isn't at finch farm or within 100 miles of it.

Something is going on.… it's a joke.

Reminds me of the Ravanelli debacle.

Until BFF, Jim White, announces it I'm keeping my powder dry. Once bitten (by Everton) 10 times shy!

Several players have had medical elsewhere, away from Finch Farm I am sure. Let's just relax and wait.

Out of Silva's own mouth

Silva added: “I can't talk about him now as there is nothing official. Let us see what we can do. I hope we can finalise it."

Apparently not quite as imminent as we have been led to believe.

Just read that Frank, that is a little disconcerting to say the least. It doesn't sound very ‘done' currently.

On a more optimistic note, that fella from Turkey and Dacoure are in the pipeline!

I said earlier that Raiola is an evil, Machiavellian rat who'll squeeze us for every last penny so we have to be patient. I was under the impression that his medical was in Manchester anyway, not FF.

I think we need a bigger pipe.

Kean deal is dead; let's move on.

This transfer ain't happening. Thing we have been used, to get other clubs involved.

Echoes of Lukaku this one. Will he, won't he until Roberto got him. Let's just chill. The kid will sign.

When I think about it, we may all have lost our heads a bit over this. I mean, he's 19, and he's already causing trouble turning up late, having that gobshite for an agent, and pissing us around royally. Let's keep our 㿐M, put Raiola in a red file, and sign some players.

Hope it's not dead yet, maybe it's the buy back situation as cropped up again meaning Marcel has a battle on his hands, especially with the other fellow involved Raiola.

We hardly confirm transfers on the weekend. He's coming, we just have to wait for the announcement on Monday.

Only the devil himself would steal things out of a church!

Kevin- hadn't heard he had pissed us around- what's he done?

I do not Raiola one bit, he is a sneaky one who is only out to line his own pockets, previously posters have mentioned the medical was supposed to be today according to a few websites.
Unless there is something else the club are waiting for to announce the signing?

I won't let my wife see this but the wait is worse than when our daughter was born!

Dave
his representative must have told Everton it was in the bag, that can be the only reason that Paul Joyce and others would go public saying it was done. That seems to be a load of codswallop, and part of a strategy to force Everton to sign him up under terms disadvantageous to the club. Not very gentlemanly behaviour I'm sure you'll agree

Kevin- it's a very dirty business! Unscrupulous people only out to make ungodly amounts of money with no regard to ethical behaviour

exactly. To hell with him and his 8 goals

Anyone got anything other than emotive, subjective, speculation?

No?

Then I'll wait until Monday!

What an amazing job it must be to be a modern day football agent. Making millions per player, private jets, as much butterscotch angel delight as you want. Wonder what he would be if he didnt grow up to be an agent?

Don't panic, don't panic...

It's like Dad's Army all over again.

Some dope is also spreading a rumour he has failed the medical.

Nothing anyone can do so let's see what happens.

Tony

So he failed the medical?

Alan Myers said don't stress about Kean. It's going to happen. Bit of patience required. As ever!!

Myers is excellent and accurate, of course. He's the best and most reliable source for us.

I remain very optimistic about the new season generally. Silva's comments post-match today were a bit anxious, or sounded so, but I'd much rather have someone agitating to make us the best we can possibly be than someone who is content to manage mediocrity.

Leicester local paper headline “Leicester front runners to sign Maguire replacement.” Surely no one else needs to replace him?

Very good, Kieran — a much needed chuckle!!

Sadly, I have zero faith in the people that run Everton.

Even if Kean signs, why are we messing around one week before the season starts trying to still find a Lukaku replacement? Calvert-Lewin is Championship standard at best.

How come little old Sheffield United were able to sign Ollie McBurnie, the best striker in the Championship last year whilst we are being used by agents?

Sorry to say this but, based on previous transfer dealings, it wouldn't surprise me at all if some in the higher echelons of the club don't even want a Kean to join — after all, that would cost money.

Until a week ago I had never heard of him. If we sign him it sounds like he might be alright. If we don't, some other club will sign someone I've never heard of until last week.

That's one way of looking at it, Andy.

Silva mentioned several days when talking about Kean, something isn't right.

Just saw on Twitter a blue got a pic with Moise Kean inside the titanic hotel in town, announcement imminent, now breathe😂

Raiola was born in Salerno before moving to Holland as a 1-year-old.

Salerno is one of the major mainland jumping off points for La Cosa Nostra from Palermo in Sicily.

To think that such a lucrative market as the European Football Empire – and especially the EPL – is not a major target for organised crime would be naive to the point of stupidity.

And again, the bedrock of that will be Italian football.

So don't for a minute think that what is happening here has anything to do with football, nor the individuals involved.

Others are pulling the strings and Que, Serra Serra.

Guys, it looks like Kean will be unveiled tomorrow. He is in Liverpool and has been pictured at the Titanic Hotel. :)

Hugh,

So Raiola was a made man in the mob at 12 months before moving to Holland?

Kieran (580) - don't have to be if you know how the family works.

He might have only been one - but his mother and father weren't.

Patience etc and more, EFC must be writing NDAs so he can never sign again for another club.

Seriously, and hopefully, the deal is done in the next 24 hours.

I sense some dictate by EFC, to the EPL, that we will no longer have a weak transfer system. The business this term is intent in outgoings and incomings.

In Brands, we trust.

David @487, are you still sure Delph will start the season? Unless you were referring to him starting on the treatment table of course!

Trawling through all the papers, gossip sites, twitterverse etc there's absolutely no hint of any trouble with this deal. In fact, in the Daily Mail, there's an article about Silva wanting even more players before Transfer Deadline Day and there's a line about Kean having completed the first part of a two-day medical.

Chill. Relax. Calm down. It will (fingers crossed) be announced, probably, tomorrow or tonight.

Sounds more promising chaps. I've never seen him play but if Brands is so keen (no pun) then so am I. We just so need a striker and potential hero.

I've said it numerous times now - this deal is with Juve, and they have a lot going on, loads of players coming & going, and timing is everything for them.

That's the short version. Everton is only half the story here, remember. Juve are pulling the strings, not us.

Oh and just to chill you lot out a bit, here's the kid in the Titanic Hotel yesterday

Link

Apparently Juventus postponed his medical at finch farm, although the deal is still expected to to through, with a medical hopefully taking place tomorrow before his signing is announced

https://tbrfootball.com/report-claims-moise-kean-medical-was-postponed-as-everton-continue-to-wait/

Rob, beat me to it! This fits in with what James Marshall has been saying, sounds like Juve are simply doing things they way they want to and have s number of deals happening in close proximity.

Doesn't sound like anything to worry about to me.

Hopefully his medical will be confirmed sometime on Monday. What hasn't helped is the other fella's medical going through which made everyone assume that confirmation of Kean's medical would follow shortly. I'm sure, if the likes of Man Utd were sniffing around, this would have been gleefully reported by the likes of Sky etc by now.

James @ 587,thanks for the link mate, but who's the other fella?

Don't tell me he's part of the deal too. :-)

I'm a little concerned. Might the Kean to Everton move be dependent on Lukaku to Juve?

I'm on a 5½-hour flight tomorrow from 14:30 so I'm hoping it's announced before that.

According to Sky Sports, Kean has completed his medical and his signing will be announced today.

https://www.skysports.com/everton

Imminent means NOW.

Brent, sort of but who cares?

550...551...love unsubstantiated in the know information. yeah

Neil - smiley emoji!

Typical Everton, make a big fuss then silence...I think this one's dead lads...

Chris James# 637 Might not have been paying attention in class also Sir.

And KK!