Everton chase Van de Beek loan deal

Looks like we have entered the race to sign Donny van de Beek.

Donny van de Beek might be Frank's first signing. Along with Loftus-Cheek and Lingard I'd say this has been a good month – if it happens.

Steve, Swift of Reading and Grimes of Swansea are both out of contract in summer and probably merit a shot at the Premier League. Carvalho of Fulham is also out of contract but will maybe stay with them as they'll be promoted. Otherwise, Berge and Knight look good. Always liked Berge. Shame Koeman didn't seal that one.

Doubt we have the financial slack to buy right now though.

Looks like Van de Beek is going to Palace but Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Lingard, Dele Alli and Aaron Ramsey still possibly available. Juve must be desperate to offload after signing Vlahovic.

Sky Sports News reporting we're after Van de Beek. We need someone in the middle of the park desperately... Gbamin and Gomes are only realistic picks at the moment, unless Warrington and Onyango come into the mix.

Just seen Fabrizio on Twitter saying we have entered the race to sign Van de Beek.

Steve, I'd say there's not that many stand out central midfielders in the championship currently. No player like Eze or Olise or Maddison or Bowen who could clearly make the step up with ease.

The best of the bunch have been Billing at Bournemouth, Swift at Reading, Gibbs White at Sheffield United, O'Brien at Huddersfield, Buckley at Blackburn and Fabio Carvalho at Fulham.

The last two are the youngest and possibly the most interesting. The talented Carvalho will probably end up at a bigger club (Liverpool have apparently been sniffing) but I like the look of John Buckley who is extremely hard working and quite athletic whilst also having a good eye for a pass and the odd goal. Gibbs-White is the other intriguing option but I don't imagine Wolves would let him go cheap.

Seems very likely we'll end up with one of Van de Beek, Alli, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Ramsey on loan?

Who would be people's preference?

If, fit I'd probably take Loftus-Cheek but that might be a big if.

Robert, yes, I forgot about Berge, now I would be delighted with that and he ticks a lot of boxes, can't see us getting him for less than £25M though, on loan with an option to buy? He is too good for them. Don't know much about Grimes or the other players you and Sam mentioned.

I think Danny van de Beek is the best option out there for us right now. Lingard and Loftus-Cheek would enhance the team but no 10's both of them as I understand it. We need someone who can sit, a no 6, now I know Van de Beek has played in both 6, 8 and 10 at Ajax and Man Utd. Therefore he would be able to play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. I like him and feel he would have a point to prove.

I really think Dunc is going to be given the heave-ho and that's what's taking time. Or maybe as someone mentioned they are going to announce a DOF at the same time? Praying not for Frank but for the right backroom staff behind him.

Not seen anything of Buckley and O'Brien, Sam.

Only heard of the latter when he was linked with Leeds.

I'm not sure what to expect out of Lampard in the transfer market but very short term I expect he'll be tapping into the Chelsea squad contacts - and maybe out of favour players from the England set up.

Otherwise it's whatever agents are touting about.

DeBeek would be a very decent loan signing I would think because he has so much to prove and we represent a good opportunity for him.

Looks like it could be Beek ‘n' Cheek our new midfielders.

I don't like to be relying on Man Utd on Deadline Day after the Rojo saga when they had us over a barrel and wanted £20m. Then let him go for free a few months after. The board should be wary of dealing with them. Give them a deadline and be prepared to walk away.

Jury is out whether Van de Beek can handle the Premier League after failing to get in an average Man Utd side.

Loftus-Cheek does seem to struggle with injuries, but when fit has done quite well. Keeping him fit is a concern.

Hopefully we are looking at other alternatives too, but options will be very limited in this window.

The problem with all these transfer rumours, is that there is absolutely nobody currently at the club who is able to negotiate them.

Tony. We are not and never have been able to pick from the top table, especially after the half a billion blown on crap.

Point is Cheek or Beek or whoever is an upgrade for now and if we survive these losers, Delph Sigurdsson, Gomes etc I assume are out of contract in the summer.

I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. I'm having a rare great Saturday just me and Ms Smirnoff with no game to balls it up. Coyb.

Let's see which (if any) options we have lined up.

Van de Beek is an interesting one. Very comfortable with the football at his feet and an eye for a pass, from what I've seen. We need that. A lot of our players don't show enough care and love to the football. Now I think of it, the style of player Lewis Warrington seems to be developing into? That's from limited observations, by the way, so feel free to correct.

Those who read my often crazed writings know what I want. The plug for the midfield gap is important, but a ball playing, front foot thinking centre back.

Centre-back, centre-back, centre-back. Can we have a new centre back?

For those who prefer a more traditional left-back, I'm surprised Target didn't feature in the negotiations with the Digne deal as a cash + swap. Having spent a lot on Mykolenko, I guess that's not a priority but I can't see him being happy playing second string at Villa having previously established himself.

- Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time.

- The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.

- Premier League clubs cannot loan to another Premier League club a player they have acquired in the same transfer window.

So with the wonderful El Ghazi signing, we have one Premier League loan left. Loftus-Cheek would my choice. He 27 in January and needs to find a club to put it together. I suspect we will get Barkley though.

Tony (5),

Beek n Cheek... Love it! Maybe even a Cheeky Beek...?

That said, I reckon those two would benefit us. Loftus-Cheek can play most way across the mid, him and Doucouré would be a strong force.

I've seen Van de Beek play a few times. His passing is awful, he isn't very physical or athletic, doesn't do anything particularly well. I don't see him as an improvement over the current lot.

Sander Berg buy and Van dear Beek on loan and we're racing.

Danny

Since Everton became interested in Van de Beek, I watched him a few times for Man Utd whenever he played and as you say, he was very comfortable with the ball at his feet and an eye for a pass. Another thing I noticed was his movement off the ball after a pass that made him dangerous in the box.

Van de Beek is a good player. He's not looked so good for Man Utd but their midfield is very disjointed and he was never going to complement Fernandes and Pogba. I could see him being good for us if we play to his strengths of quick, one-touch football in a 4-3-3.

But for injury Loftus-Cheek might have become a real star. Again, decent signing.

Both could chip in with a few goals, too. At this late stage, getting either of these players - or Dele Alli or Ramsey could really make a difference.

I also think we need a proper sitting midfielder - because Allan and Doucouré both better at hunting down the ball than shielding the back 4. But unlikely to get someone for this role in the next day or two.

Holgate or Godfrey or even Gbamin might deputise till summer.

Yes please to Donny van de Beek.

Our midfield needs sorting out, as in additions.
Loftus-Cheek will be a good one too.

I still hold hope for Gbamin. He's a good player, but will he ever stay fit?

Dele Alli seemed to go off the boil as young players do, but was that badly influenced by becoming one of Mourinho's inevitable targets? It's what he does, after all.

There could still be something in there and Everton could be a platform for him. Good at set-pieces and when he plays with a smile on his face, enjoying his football, he expresses himself. As players tend to.

Or Coleman, Robert?

We are on a scrap to survive.

These are not the guys we need at the moment.

Yes to both of them... although, if I'm right, one would have to be bought due to El Ghazi?

When you thought that things look bleak,
After a fucking crackers week,
Our midfield's old and past its peak,
But, Loftus-Cheek and Van de Beek?

Aye, Phil - we have midfield that creaks
in front of a defence that leaks
it will take more than a few tweaks
otherwise come May we'll hear shrieks!

Phil, I get where you're coming from but we're not going to get the likes of Rice, Tielemans and Bissouma given we're penniless and in a relegation dog fight. The options are very limited.

If we can get a player like this, and they make as much impact as the unfashionable Gray and Townsend then it will be good business.

Apparently Lampard was trying to negotiate the transfer of Dele Alli during his “Interview” yesterday. What kind of bloody interview was this? Anyway it seems Dele Alli has already said his goodbyes to all his chums at Spurs.

Get in 2 defensive minded midfielders in the squad, and we'll be okay until the summer.

Play one as the number 6 to sit like Gana, Makelele, Gilberto Silva role.

Then let Gomes do whatever he wants as he is decent on the ball, can cross, can dictate the game and find pockets of space.

Allan or Doucoure as the third midfielder, as they are obviously decent too.

Dennis 24 - lol, well played sir!
Robert 25 - Agree with you mate, just having a bit of fun.
And yes, we're not going to pull that sort of player at the moment. These two players (if they were to come in before the deadline) improve us and give us more options. All for it.

Shame Ramsey is so injury-prone. I would definitely take him for rest of season if there was any way he could stay fit but he just doesn't seem to able to do it these days.

Dele Alli seems to have really lost his mojo so I'd say that Donny van de Beek makes a lot of sense.

But yes, as many have already said, we definitely need a holder in the middle as well and that should also be a priority. Hopefully Frank can work some magic and find that crucial player to get us out of this mess.

Sam H, is Knight any good at Derby? I ask, as iirc, we were looking at him in the summer.

He might be an option, though I'm sure t'would hack Wayne off a lot!

The other option I'd like, despite Dutch players failing usually at Everton, is Donny van de Beek. A class player, who hasn't had time to find form due to lack of minutes.

After that, I'd look at Dele Alli next, then Jesse Lingard.

Ideally, we'd try for Tielemans, but... hey-ho.

As Danny O has said, we still need a centre-back, a striker and a 3rd midfielder to my mind.

I stand corrected, it's Donny van de Beek (not 'der')

Robert @18 says it accurately, running off the ball in a 4-3-3 is his style (as brought threw the Ajax academy – Johan Cruyff would have approved)

Who do we have who could play on the same wavelength?
Richarlison and Demarai Gray spring to mind.

My own view of him has always been a cleverer version of Davy Klaassen, for what it's worth.

If we only bring in one more player, it needs to be a defensive midfielder – a Carsley or Gueye type.

Slightly off Subject but the club or the waiter sacked our medical staff. We had injury after injury more than the other 19 so have we addressed that at least

I'd pass on Van de Beek. Don't think he's up to the Premier League. Likewise with Barkley. But then we're desperate... so we'll probably get Barkley.

This is Everton we are talking about here. My guess is that we will get none of the big names mentioned above!

Yes, we'll get plenty of excited posts, hearsay etc, like we do in every window, but the outcome is usually zilch and the players mentioned will turn up at Palace, Leicester, Wolves etc next season!

We desperately need midfield players but my guess is, if we get anyone, it will be one of the young players from the Championship that Sam mentions @5 above, plus Barkley on loan. (God help us!)

Whoever we go for, we need to get on with it now! But I wouldn't be surprised if we end up with no-one.

- Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time.
- The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four
At the moment we have 1. (Lyndon too busy with all the manager stuff to update the 1st team players 😉. Just proving he is not an Octopus)

Any one time? Definition. Is that 2 per window, or 2 per day? So can we bring in 2 tomorrow and another Monday?

People on here worried Ruben Loftus-Cheek has had injury problems...

Does that not mean he is a wonderful match for our club??

Simon @31, I saw an interview with Rooney saying Knight is a player who attacks the ball rather than waiting for it to come to him. He really likes him at least.

Unless the imminent Derby takeover finally happens, Knight could leave for a very low sum indeed because they're currently struggling to pay wages I believe.

Phil(37),

I believe two at the same time means concurrently at the club, not one signed at 2:05 pm, one at 2:06 pm and one at 2:07 pm.

Whichever nut (Moshiri) signed El Ghazi (for his mate Kia) really has hamstrung us here. Assuming the Donny van de Beek loan comes off, the chequebook needs to come out for a tackling central midfielder too.

Brian #11,

"We are not and never have been able to pick from the top table"??

Are you very young or is your memory fading?

I grew up in the era when Everton set the bar for transfers. Transfer records fell and, in the days when players could choose from the top clubs, they regularly picked Everton as their destination.

Yes, that was a long time ago. But as well as the signings of the likes of Ball, Latchford, Heath, Lineker et al, my real favourite was when Ian Snodin had two offers on the table and chose us instead of going to Anfield.

I know that those days are, for now at least, gone. But we were top dogs once.

Sam (5), I am surprised you didn't include Brennan Johnson from Middlesbrough in your list. Weren't we linked with this lad earlier in the window?

He has been getting rave reviews and they say he is destined for the Premier League. I wish we could have offloaded Gomes or Iwobi (preferably both) to free up some space to get this lad in.

Having no manager in place shouldn't make a difference to us signing a few players before Monday night.

Moshiri has signed quite a few players already in his time with us (players that our then managers or DOF probably didn't actually want) and as we all know, Kenwright has been signing and selling players for two decades.

How lucky we are to have a real football man and a hugely successful businessman at the top of our club.

What could possibly go wrong

Both! And Lingard

Are we going to have the time to get in some new players before the window slams shut in our face? Only one loan so the other will have to be funded I think. we need reinforcements in the middle desperately.

I wonder if the El Ghazi loan can be terminated?

Given that it appears Moshiri did the El Ghazi loan deal, it's not likely to be terminated before the end of the season. So Lampard is stuck with him.

Danny @47,

I was thinking the same.

Ajay @ 43, that's a good call on Brennan, he looks a good player. Incidentally though, he plays for Forest, not Middlesbrough.

But we desperately need players to bolster our midfield and time is running out.

Whilst El Ghazi is clearly a weird signing, he is capable of very good things.

One goal out of nothing could make all the difference this season. So we shouldn't write him off.

And I expect we will get only one new player in (and need a bit of luck doing that) given we haven't even announced Lampard yet.

Loftus-Cheek and Van de Beek work best in similar spaces so we need only one of them anyway.

However, I could see him presiding over a big-time overhaul of the squad in summer.

For Van de Beek, read Davy Klaassen Mk II.

What does he actually do? Not fast or dynamic enough. Not suited to the Premier League in my opinion.

Robert #51, amen. One moment like El Ghazi had against us in May -- one great shot, three points -- would make him worth having. Hell, he's not costing us anything.

And if we don't get Van de Beek or anybody else signed in the next 28 hours, he could be a valuable pair of legs. I still think that Townsend could fill in capably in the center of midfield if necessary.

I read an article about him last summer, before we signed him, that listed him as one of Europe's most efficient midfielders defensively (tackles/interceptions), and we know he's composed on the ball. As a fill-in defensive midfielder, I think he'd certainly be better than Holgate or Godfrey.

And if Townsend plays centrally, that gives us a 4-5-1 midfield of Rich, Gordon, Townsend, Allan and Gray, with El Ghazi to come off the bench late in games. Not horrible.

I'd prefer Alli to Van de Beek. We haven't done very well with Dutch players and managers, have we?

I'd like Lingard because we need more potency up front. Think we're short at centre-back unless Branthwaite is given a chance. All the suggested names are better than what we have at present.

Robert (51).

The issue is that he's competing against Gordon and Townsend for the right-wing spot, and maybe Gray too if we change away from 4-4-2 like we need to.

We simply didn't need to waste a loan in this area, not when we have only 3 half-fit central midfielders, only one left-footed full-back, and no natural left-sided central defenders.

This is the insanity of management and why we should all be backing 27 years, at least until it really turns round on the squad side.

Mike Gaynes,

Despite thinking he's still better on the wings, I also like the idea of using Townsend in the middle, to be honest. However, the idea of that 5-man midfield you suggested just makes it look like complete Jelly. I'm 45 and 3 stone overweight, but I could run through it.

He's left-footed, maybe try him on the left in a 3, and let him bomb up and unleash a rocket now and again.

Think if we had him and Donny either side of a real destroyer, it could work. The issue there is: we have no destroyer.

Bit shocking, those comments by Ivan Toney, about his own club!!

Whilst bad attitude is the last thing we need, anyone think a cheeky £15M + last night's Venezuelan hat-trick hero is maybe worth an ask?

Lots of possibilities... I just hope Moshiri has found another magic money tree (or two) to shake the funds out of.

Ray Robinson, that is my fear too. Looks great playing for a top Dutch team and cannot cut it in the Premier League.

I too like Loftus-Cheek. Don't Moshiri and Abramovich have a common buddy in Usmanov? Let's see if Moshiri can do something constructive for a change.

Gary, the issue is that we've already got El Ghazi so, even if we cancel the loan, I doubt it gives us the freedom to loan someone in his place. I wouldn't have signed him for the reasons you say, but he's capable of winning games.

As for those writing off Van de Beek because he's Dutch and Klaassen wasn't so good, that's a bit like saying no to Robben because Drenthe was loopy.

We've had so many rubbish English players, maybe we should avoid Dele Alli because Stephen Hughes was awful.

Robert,

You're only capable of winning games if you get a game. He shouldn't get any minutes ahead of Gordon, Townsend, or even Dobbin (who I also think can start out wide too). He's not a player we need now, or in the future.

De Bruyne (okay Belgian, but Dutch / Flemmish) wasn't considered good enough by Chelsea.

Kevin Sheedy was languishing in Liverpool's reserves.

Sometimes a player can thrive in a different team and in different surroundings.

I confess to not knowing too much about Van de Beek to be honest, but having read, I interpret that there is disagreement on the comparisons with Klaassen as that has been labelled previously. Both are known for good movement off the ball but Van de Beek is better in possession of the football.

I always felt for Klaassen. I could see a player; an intelligent one. But he joined a dysfunctional Everton team during "that" summer. The one where our transfer strategy was at its most dysfunctional best with Walsh, Moshiri, Kenwright & Koeman doing their own thing.

Holland has provided the world with some of the greatest footballers ever seen. From Cruyff, Neeskens and Muhren to Van Basten, Gullit and Van Nistlerooy. The problem with us is we get the crap ones.

Add Denis Bergkamp, I'd definitely gamble with Van de Beek, if we can get him on loan with an option to buy.

I think we need a more combative central midfielder too, but we'd have to buy one, options are limited. Maybe someone whose contract is ending? It's a tough one.

One more, Lingard as a permanent signing would be a good addition if the price was right, he would give us more creativity and something different going force. There's goals and assists in him, very impressive on loan with West Ham, we could offer him a home to play his best football.

Man Utd will play hardball, but these two are already in the North-West, not getting game time and are worth trying for in this limited market.

If Lampard is coming in, then I'd like to see what he might be able to achieve managing Dele Alli.

The young Dele Alli was an all-action central midfielder who got pushed into an advanced midfield role at Tottenham, and his ability to adapt and succeed in that role meant he was rebranded as an attacking player.

For me, that seems to have gone very stale now, and I reckon that – if he has the appetite to work hard and the curiosity to see how far his talent can take him – Lampard could do a lot worse than try to remake him in his own image; the energetic central midfielder who can link defence and attack and arrive late in the box to support the forwards.

I know we can only have 2 loan signings; however, with a new manager, is there anything in the rules to say we have to keep El Ghazi, or could we end his loan spell in this window, should the manager not fancy him and want to bring in two other loans, instead?

Hopefully Everton will be busy trading over the next 48 hours for some midfield loan deals.

The season is in the balance and midfield cover is essential to try and get away from the drop zone.

Andrew,

Dele Alli is an interesting one. There were rumours about Frank wanting him. He is a player that needs the right club and manager to spark his career back into life. Frank Lampard and Everton fit the bill.

I don't think we could have both him and Lingard, but I'm not sure who would be the best signing if both were gettable in the next two days.

Simon @32,

From the little I've seen and read of Knight, he looks a good prospect but I'm not sure he is Premier League ready. He would probably be one to buy and send out on loan again but not sure he's ready to improve our first team right now.

Ajay @43,

Brennan Johnson is excellent but a wide player primarily, I think (though definitely has and could feature in central attacking midfield). I was listing central midfield options.

Van de Beek... I'm not sure on; better than Klaassen but a similar mold perhaps. Would be worth it if we could get a buy option but apparently that is not gonna be possible.

Dele Alli is an interesting one; he looked such a talent but has gone so far off the boil. Would he have the fight for it? If Lampard could get him back close to what he was, then he'd be a tremendous option.

Thanks Robert [40]

If that is the case, I'd go with the proposed loan of Donny van de Beek, make an offer for Dele Alli, and make a cheeky bid for Knight.

We don't need to sign another defensive midfielder, as we have Davies, Delph and Doucouré coming back from injury in 4 weeks or so.

We need someone to replace Gomes, a genuine No 8 (Van de Beek), and a little creativity (Alli) if we can't get Alli, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be a better option due to age and wage, than Jesse Lingard.

Again, to my mind, we're still short of a centre-back and a striker...

Thanks for your reply, Robert.

Thanks Sam, just read your comment above.

Sam, James Garner is definitely a midfielder to keep watching. There were strong rumours that we were interested in signing him this month and that we enquired to Man Utd about getting his loan terminated with Forest so we could. I think he is firmly on our scouting radar.

If I get the chance, I'll be watching him tomorrow as Forest are away at Cardiff. I think this kid is going to be a Premier League standard midfielder. He's only 20 so more development needed yet. He has 2 years left on his contract so maybe we can be a poacher for once.

Tony,

Yeah Garner has looked handy. Would be a good poach but don't imagine Man Utd would give him up easy.

Zakaria available for only £6M! Shame we're not able to interest him.

Unfortunately, the finances / rules being what they are, I'd be surprised if we concluded any more business than 1 loan. So that means probably one of:

- Van de Beek
- Alli
- Loftus-Cheek
- Barkley
- Lingard
- Ramsey

And we might not be able to get that over the line.

Summer will probably be completely different with lots of ins and outs, but we'll have to make do for now.

Robert.

To the tune of…Trumpton, Pugh Pugh, Barney McGrew

Alli, De Beek, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Lingard and Ramsey.

Sorry, I'm losing the plot. Good night.

Had a peak at Van de Beek on YouTube and never been so non-plussed.

An absolute doppelganger for that other Dutch fella we signed who found it all a bit too much I wouldn't rate him as Championship standard.

Surely we've learned to avoid Man Utd rejects... surely???

I welcome the news the new manager elect is looking at centre mids but are any of these industrious enough for our needs?

I would say we need another of the same profile as Doucouré; box to box, all action, combative, physically imposing and with the necessary skills and attacking attributes but secondarily to the first set of talents.

We may not have an out-and-out “10” in the squad but we do have at least 4 players who can play in that position and a whole lot more (wingers) who would benefit from us playing a formation without a “10”.

Fabrizio saying we've just agreed a deal with United. 6-month loan we pay his full wage.

Up to the player to now decide where he wants to go.

Just who now at Goodison crumbling Park has any vestige of judgement when it comes to anything at all to do with successful recruitment, governance or ambition?

I'll see if it takes the back of a postage stamp to contain all the names of viable contenders.

Yeah, right.

Palace v Everton for attacking midfielder. Wonder who Tim Cahill will choose? Oh wait we are regurgitating story lines with new characters.

I'm more concerned about getting a midfielder who can run and tackle. With Doucouré out, our squad looks very Solksjaeresque with lots of defenders and attackers and just Allan running around midfield.

Kieran, #80 - we only got Cahill as then-Palace Owner Simon Jordan refused to pay the agent fee. Everything had been agreed otherwise. Thank feck for principled owners!

Drew, Kieran, I'm thinking the same, are the midfield targets the type of midfield need right now? I would say we need at least one of the type Drew describes to keep us strong for the battles ahead. Allan won't play all the games and he's the only one left who is the water carrier. Doucoure can do it but he is better used and happier in a midfield three, in a more advanced role, and is injured for at least a month anyway. Gbamin can't be good enough post injury, as he is overlooked so much. Tom is injured. Gomes is far too slow to be effective in the midfield battle for supremacy at the start of matches.

Having Allan do the job alone overtaxes him, if, and more likely when, gets injured we are exposed. It is a big concern they seem to be not looking for this type of midfielder. Maybe there's no-one suitable or gettable this window, and we will have to make do and battle with whoever we can get. In that case any reinforcements will be welcome. We may well change our formations to get the best out of them.

For anyone hoping to see Loftus-Cheek join us on loan, I'd be anxious about his fitness. He is clearly a talented and capable footballer, but he has never seemed to have an extended run of games at any point in his career. He had a pretty decent season for Chelsea about three years ago but the only other season he's had that wasn't interrupted significantly by injury was his loan at Fulham last season - when they were relegated.

In a functioning side then a healthy and hungry Loftus-Cheek would be a decent option. Right now, for us, I'd prefer to get in a player with a better history of being available and a better track record of affecting games. I'd be going all out for Dele Alli.

Premier League rules state only 2 players can be loaned from clubs in the same league at any one time so the Van de Beek, Loftus-Cheek and Alli rumours can't all be true as we already have El Ghazi, so only one of them can come on loan.