Everton Transfer Tracker: Week of July 15 News and Rumours

It will be quite something if Everton manage to top last week's sudden surge of transfer activity.

After weeks of whispers, speculation and rumours, in came Arouna Kone, Antolin Alcaraz and Joel Robles on permanent deals, while Barcelona's Gerard Deulofeu joined on a year-long loan.

With no first XI player out of the equation just yet—bar the retiring Phil Neville—the Toffees are clearly in a stronger position than last season, when they managed a prolonged challenge for a Champions League place.

For the next few weeks, the club's greatest priority may be hanging on to what they have, especially in the cases of Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini.

Once again, here is your weekly dose of transfer rumours and stories surrounding Everton. Be sure to check back later in the week for any further developments.

For those keeping track of all Toffees-related links over the summer, last week's bumper transfer gossip can be found here.

—LAST UPDATE: Friday, July 19—

Toffees Battling Spurs for McCarthy

Friday July 19

According to the Liverpool Echo, Roberto Martinez is after yet another one of his former charges at Wigan, in James McCarthy.

However, as the Daily Star also highlight, Tottenham are equally keen and have the potential to price out the Toffees.

Their interest will increase his asking price which may well spiral towards £20 million. Without selling, it's highly doubtful Everton would or could go anywhere near that.

Siqueira Replacing Baines?

Thursday July 18

According to the Daily Express' James Dickenson, Everton are lining up a move to replace Leighton Baines with Grandada's Guilherme Siqueira.

The article mentions how Manchester United have supposedly backed away from signing Baines. but with this deal dependent on his sale it could suddenly renew their interest in the England left-back.

Siqueira would certainly make sense as a replacement, but it seems unlikely he would arrive with Baines still at the club. Everton are not short of cover at left-back so it would seem a particularly odd move at the moment.

Heitinga Attracting Interest

Tuesday July 16

John Heitinga once again finds himself in the gossip columns, this time of the Daily Mail, who report on some apparent interest from Fenerbache.

After a poor season, the enigmatic Dutchman could benefit from a fresh start and the Toffees would presumably prefer to sell him before he enters the final year of his contract.

Interestingly, the paper also follow up on Monday's link with Toby Alderweireld, who would seem an sensible replacement. 

Official: Long Signs Professional Terms

Tuesday July 16

One of Everton's brightest young prospects, Chris Long, put pen to paper on a two-year deal—his first professional contract with the the Toffees.

The young striker has progressed through to Everton's Under-21 side and played for England Under-20s this summer despite only turning 18 earlier this year.

Everton confirmed the deal via their official website.

Fellaini off Again?

Tuesday July 16

Just when it looked as though Marouane Fellaini could end up staying at Everton this summer, rumours of an imminent sale once again heat up.

This time The Guardian's Jamie Jackson brings the story, claiming that Thiago Alcantara 's move to Bayern Munich leaves the Belgian, along with Cesc Fabregas, as David Moyes' main targets at Manchester United.

Fellaini's release clause is again highlighted, along with the fact that it expires in mid-August.

Everton in for Alderweireld

Monday July 15

Supposedly not content with their recent reinforcements, talkSPORT report how sources in Belgium claim the Toffees are now interested in Ajax's Toby Alderweireld.

The central defender is a Belgian international and had previously agreed terms with Bayer Leverkusen before the deal fell through.

The arrival of Antolin Alcaraz leaves Everton well stocked in defence, although John Heitinga has previously indicated he may welcome a move this summer, and Roberto Martinez could certainly do with a few younger options.

Fellaini Sticking Around?

Monday July 15

This is not strictly transfer gossip, but it was interesting to see Roberto Martinez hand Marouane Fellaini the captain's armband during the Toffees' opening preseason game against Austria Vienna.

A sign he'll stay?

Everton are of course powerless to prevent their Belgian leaving if someone chooses to activate his release clause, as reports from the weekend highlight. However, Martinez told Sky Sports he believes Fellaini will play an important role next season.

He also revealed he wants to give the Belgian some extra responsibility:

"

He's had a fantastic impact in the Premier League and hopefully now is the time he can carry on showing his massive influence in the game for us.

He's still a very young man but I am really looking forward to seeing Marouane working hard and making sure that he sets really good standards at this club. We have a very good group of senior players in our dressing room, and some players need that extra bit of responsibility.

 

"

Confusion Surrounding Baines

Sunday July 14

We start with some conflicting reports about Leighton Baines, arguably Everton's most important player to hang on to this summer.

These reports stem from the weekend but are set to rumble on this week, so they have been included in this slide.

First, the Daily Star's Paul Hetherington claims the Toffees would accept a bid of around £18 million from Manchester United for Baines. This seems feasible, but it doesn't appear that United have offered anything near that amount just yet. The Daily Star also reports that "Moyes rates Baines so highly he has made him a priority signing."

The Mirror then slightly contradicts this piece by stating how the England left-back will sign a new contract at Everton if an agreement cannot be reached.

Dave Kidd and Steve Bates write that United have only offered £10 million thus far and are only willing to offer a maximum of £12 million, which is surely far too low for the Toffees to even consider.

It seems this saga may continue on for some time.