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For free in Jan then I still think this is a no brainer - rather him than Naismith any day of the week!

I'm happy with the Martinez signings so far as they strenghten the squad - we needed numbers and he's got them in quickly. It'll be interesting now to see if he can add those players to improve the 1st team and take us to the 'next level'. Moyes' signings cannot be disputed - overall he was incredible at finding players and getting the best out of them - that's why we have so many excellent players currently... not many better in the current game at that, probably why he is now the manager of arguably the biggest club in the world. Sadly Moyes didn't have the money at times where it looked obvious to all that we were only one or two players short and of course others around us strengthened but we stayed competitive. Now Martinez may have a bit more money, we know he wants to use youth more and we expect him to be bolder tactically - if he can do half as well as Moyes with bringing in quality then we're onto a good thing!

Martinez laughed this off along with the Austrian striker on his latest interview on EvertonTV (free clips on I-pad).

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/07/25/everton-follow-liverpool-lead-by-lodging-alessandro-matri-enquiry/93108/

He could have extended his time here but chose to pursue 1st team football - fair play to him! Moore admitted there's an option for him to return to us in an interview. Shame he got injured last season as he was looking very bright and was much to do with Tranmere's early season form.

Wootton's a blue - doesn't mean I'd have him but I'd be happy if Roberto deemed him worthy... can't really comment myself as I only remember seeing him once or twice last season in European games.

This is just Scharner trying to get some column inches - can't imagine this was even a thought from anyone at the club.

I believe so. 1-4 on skybet to sign for us.

Part of the problem with youth development is people build these youngsters up and up and up without actually ever watching them play, they claim they'll be world class based on YouTube clips and champ manager wonder kid tags... then when they don't turn out to be that good it's down to poor coaching and them not being given chances! But is it down to this? It is evident that English youngsters aren't at a premium class wise and I do think this is because of grassroots and lack of fluency/communication/plans between the FA and clubs. Here at Everton we as fans build youngsters up, I think at bit too much. I would like to see the likes Barkley given more opportunities but only on merit. We've seen the likes of Kissock, Baxter and many more being hailed as the next star but were they really? Where are they now? I'd like a thread on here where people who actually watch the reserves and academy feed back to us - not just people seeing George Green's wonder goal on YouTube then deciding he is worldclass then moaning that we've ruined him because he was the next big thing!

Did anyone else notice A Kone on the shirt? Why would he need A if he's the only Kone at the club... I think this one may already be done!

Hamburg have declared an interest in Jelavic according to twitter - also read they bid £10m last summer.

We get 25% of anything over £28m - so £3m if he was to go for £40m.

Wow!!! Baines was one of the most creative footballers in the whole of Europe last season if not the most (it's on here somewhere the most created chances stat for last season). He is not comparable to McCarthy regardless of position. Baines is in the top 5-10 in his position in the world, James McCarthy is a good central midfield player. Even with 2 yrs left and him being 28, Baines is well worth holding out for £18m. I'd be very disappointed if we spent £12m on McCarthy as there is better out there for cheaper... thing with Baines is that there aren't many better - maybe only Contreau (real player not the drink), Alaba, Marcelo, Alba... con't name many others off the top of my head.

Reading up more on this Merro, he does seem a tool!

It's the umpires decision, there is an appeal process where decisions can be reviewed, the Aussies were obviously frivolous with these so it goes down to human error on the umpires behalf. We lost out with the Prior decision, we gained with the Broad decision - they say it evens itself out eventually!!!

I'd like to add Norwich, Sunderland and Swansea - all are making some really good moves in the transfer market. It'll be interesting to see what impact the new owners at Fulham have too.

Chap called John Merro on twitter says Baines is signing on a long term deal immenently. He seems pretty sure of himself and seems to have a few followers including people I follow and have a good track record. Delighted if this is the case!

Shahid Khan has bought Fulham - worth $2.5bn.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jul/11/thiago-alcantara-bayern-munich-transfer

He'll go to a Brazillian team if he wants to get himself into that World Cup squad.

Always dubious unless they have the verified tick!

@gerardeulofeu May as well get this one followed too!

With us signing Joel, Alcatraz and Kone that's covered the numbers in Neville, Hitz and Mucha, so already I'd say we're stronger than last season. With the lad from Barca looking likely albeit on loan then we are strengthening the squad further with someone who could challenge for a 1st team spot. In my opinion we still need at least one central midfielder and that's without selling. I believe we are now set-up to sell Fellaini with the proceeds being able to be focused on strengthening central midfield with at least 2 players due to the business we have already done. Heitinga can go so that money/wages saved will be a bonus. If Baines went then I'd be gutted but we have Oviedo and hopefully a break through season for Garbutt, so I wouldn't necessarily want us to sign a replacement lb/lwb, I'd sooner see us spend big on a 20 goal a season striker. All in all it seems this early business is very encouraging.

It's being reported that the £800k Bolton are paying Leicester for him is coming directly to us as it is still owed.

Taylor Fletcher? (If not Keith Southern?)