WHEN friendlies against Bury are being announced with a fanfare you know that things really are quite slow on the whole transfer front.
It can be argued that apart from a few very profile deals, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, very few Premier League clubs have done much business yet.
The perceived wisdom is that managers tend to enjoy a few weeks off in the sun and for the summer tournaments to end and then one key deal kicks off the so-called transfer merry-go-round.
At the moment, with most clubs keeping their powder dry, there’s no way of knowing who might outbid you for any of your preferred targets.
Aston Villa and Tottenham are linked to almost every player that David Moyes fancies, while the minted Manchester clubs also have money to burn at the moment, and even they are said to be interested in, for instance, Kyle Naughton, the sort of young talent who Everton have picked up for a reasonable amount in recent seasons. As a result, Sheffield United are reported to want the bidding to start at a silly £6million.
The Everton manager has made it clear that he much prefers to deal early though, and many feel that the poor start to the last campaign was down to the inability to strengthen the squad and get players integrated during pre-season.
It doesn’t help though when we seem to persist in pursuing individuals who appear very reluctant to move to Goodison Park.
Take Stephane M’Bia, for instance. Ross and Rachel on Friends managed to hook up more smoothly than Everton and the Cameroon midfielder.
He apparently messed Moyes about last summer, using his interest to get a better deal at Rennes, and now there are reports that he’s using Everton as leverage in talks with Marseille, his preferred destination.
If he carries on making contradictory statements every other day he’s in danger of becoming a Gwladys Street boo-boy before he’s even signed – if in fact he ever does.
He would certainly have to perform well to convince Blues’ supporters that he’s not just a very cynical mercenary.
Another loan deal for Jo seems more realistic, and apart from reported interest from Fulham, there doesn’t seem to be too many clubs wishing to compete with us for the lanky Brazilian. He divided opinion among Evertonians last season, scoring a handful of goals at Goodison but showing very little away from home.
Borrowing him again looks a far more sensible option than dishing out good money for someone who still needs to prove that he can cope with English football and put in a shift every week, not just when we are dominating poor teams at home.
