Everton: Rodallega & McGeady the Latest Links, but Still No Moves by David Moyes

With the full contingent of Everton’s squad now back on the training pitch, the unerring lack of any new signings is rousing a sense of unease among a growing proportion of Everton fans. 

As many Premier League adversaries begin to strengthen, Everton have been notably quiet, with few clues coming out of the club concerning transfers.

Communication as a whole has been limited from the club this summer, and with this reluctant image, even the most optimistic, ardent supporter is beginning to experience the odd shudder of anxiety. 

Most supporters will be aware how the club is openly penniless. Were Bill Kenwright to suddenly spring a surprise and sign a £10 million forward, whilst there would be dancing in the streets, there would also be a state of shock at where the capital suddenly came from.

Players must be sold in order for Everton to compete in the transfer market.

With that in mind, it is not just the lack of movement in that is disconcerting, but also the fact that Everton seem to be stuck with a logjam in the outgoings column, a scenario handicapping David Moyes.

There could be a rough £5 million figure (at best) to be played with, stemming from the Steven Pienaar and James Vaughan departures, but essentially Everton must sell to buy. 

So what is the latest? 

Recent Incoming Player Rumours

In terms of new additions, Everton are repeatedly linked to players carrying inflated transfer fees, simply unattainable for the Toffees.

Surely most people in football are aware of Everton’s economic woes? This weekend offered Everton fans rumours of Saloman Kalou and again, Charles N’Zogbia.

As ideal as these players could prove to be, when so little is currently available for David Moyes these links are only compounding the frustration in supporters. 

Elsewhere, from South America, Hugo Rodallega insisted Everton, among others, are interested in him. Again, an almost frivolous quote when his fee would be impossible for Everton to muster at the minute.

Aiden McGeady was also linked with a swap for Diniyar Bilyaletdov, perhaps a more feasible connection. It does not involve Everton parting with cash, and players of British descent rarely stay in Russia for long, however, it sadly seems a tad too good to be true. 

In short, it is hard to read into many rumours regarding Everton’s spending with no current sign of players leaving. It only inflates the frustration as more and more suitable targets are highlighted in the press and eventually end up at a near rival.

So, in order to fund any of these acquisitions, what is the latest regarding those who could be off?

Recent Outgoing Player Rumours (Fringe Players) 

Regarding the players under the category of saleable assets, a term suitable for Yakubu and Joseph Yobo, business seems to have halted. Both are on lofty wages and between them should fetch between £6-£8 million.

Most fans, if they could, would politely urge the two Nigerians to hurriedly pack their bags and leave, so David Moyes can regurgitate their worth elsewhere, but Everton have been unsuccessful with negotiations. 

A few clubs reportedly had bids accepted for Yakubu, but the striker baulked at the wages offered and will probably see out the final year of his contract.

In contrast, Yobo has had terms accepted with Fenerbahce, yet as the clubs attempted to solve a £3 million to £6 million gap in respective valuations of the player, Turkish football was unhelpfully plunged into chaos leaving Yobo’s deal hanging in limbo. 

In terms of other players that perhaps Everton supporters would not mind seeing offloaded for suitable dollar, there is a similar lack of activity. John Heitinga, perennially advertising himself to anyone that would listen, is suddenly appearing shy.

Additionally, disregarding the recent swap link, it has been eerily quiet for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, often linked with moves back to Russia. Jan Mucha has also been away from the headlines.

If money cannot be generated from fringe players, Everton will have to seriously consider selling a bigger name player.

Recent Outgoing Player Rumours (Main Players) 

Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell are both extensively sought after in the press and if a bigger name player was to depart, it makes sense that it should be one of these two.

The remaining player would be capable of playing in central midfield in the departed player’s absence. 

Fellaini is entering the latter stages of his deal at Goodison Park, and with no European football, he would seem unlikely to sign a new contract. He released questionable quotes about his future a few weeks ago and has been associated with Real Madrid.

Michael Essien’s injury may now also cause Chelsea to bid for the leggy Belgian. 

In terms of Rodwell, as frequently as he has been plastered around gossip columns for three years now, there has been little substance in the numerous reports. He endured a testing season and will surely need to impress next year before clubs commit to him. 

Leighton Baines could instigate a large fee, although were the left-back to go there would be fury among Everton fans such was the season he had.

The latest on Baines sees most Evertonians cautiously positive. Potential suitors are beginning to run out.

Manchester United had Patrice Evra sign a new contract, Gael Clichy ended Manchester City’s left-back search, Tottenham and Chelsea have world class options in that position, leaving only Liverpool and Arsenal. 

Arsene Wenger, when quizzed yesterday, said he was happy with Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore and Thomas Vermaelen (at a stretch) as his left-back options next season.

Only Liverpool remain after a No. 3. Whilst they have been rumoured to be following Baines, surely he would not incur the wrath of Evertonians and join the enemy?

To Sum Up 

Few can belittle Everton's current squad. It is gifted enough and certainly capable of competing with the majority of EPL teams.

What is agonising for supporters is that so many feel the current roster is a few injections of quality away from being a real force. No mass reconstruction of the squad is wanted, just a few obvious areas addressed and perhaps a little better communication from the club.

Jermaine Beckford has been the only genuine first team addition in nearly two years now, a fact that must be addressed. A quality striker and a swift, attacking winger would gratify many, and that season-nearing excitement would begin to stir once again within Evertonians.

It would be criminal to waste such a talented squad at Everton by not augmenting it somehow this offseason.

If you liked this article, follow me on Twitter:  @Matt_Cheetham for more chat