Everton Transfer News: Is Miroslav Klose off the Radar?

For a number of weeks now, Miroslav Klose has been linked with Everton. The German is rumoured to have even set foot on Everton’s training complex, Finch Farm.

David Moyes was allegedly considering a lucrative two year contract for the veteran, but these rumours seem to have stalled somewhat over the past few days.

Recent stories now depict the German as being on the verge of joining either Valencia or Lazio. Two European clubs who would both certainly be able to offer the German far more productive terms.

Klose would have been (and perhaps could still be) a strong fit for Everton. His aerial prowess is well documented and he would have augmented Everton’s threat from crosses and set-pieces. His potency in front of goal is certainly something Everton are currently seeking.

Whilst it is enjoyable for Everton fans to be linked with a player of Klose’s calibre, realistically most will realise his wage demands would have always been tough to match. If he were to sign, Everton would certainly have one of the first real transfer coups of the summer.

However he would surely have to become Everton's top earner, something that could easily disrupt David Moyes' generally harmonious squad. It seems far more feasible envisaging him at a team able to offer both European football, and a more rewarding contract.

Demba Ba is another name who seems less likely to join Everton than he was a week ago. Allegedly the Senegalese striker has put off David Moyes for the time being with some ambitious wage requests. Ba would undoubtedly be a useful acquisition at Goodison Park, providing he lowers his wage demands, but again, he is well coveted by several clubs.

Other names linked to Everton this week have been Nottingham Forest’s out of contract midfielder, Guy Moussi. The midfielder is a free agent, and Moyes is apparently an admirer. Gabon international, Ecuele Manga, has stated how he is flattered to be linked with Everton, therefore partially creating the link himself.

Normally this ploy is carried out by players keen to make clubs aware of their desires to move. It was a tactic Stephane Mbia used Everton for as he orchestrated an eventual move to Marseilles last summer.

A few rumours have recently spread about David Moyes' interest in Charlie Adam. Though this may be so, Blackpool's captain is likely to spark a bidding war with the top Premier League clubs, something Everton would struggle to compete in. Bizarrely Marc Albrighton also appeared in tabloids over the weekend.

It is no secret that Everton are desperately short of wingers, but surely he is a player who would be forbidden to leave Villa Park without an extravagant transfer fee. Craig Mackail-Smith, Jay Bothroyd, Shane Long, Mamadou Sakho are among others linked with the Toffees this past week.

In terms of players being linked away from Everton, Leighton Baines is currently the name most frequently sounded out in the press. His convincing display for England against Switzerland has only heightened tabloid attention in him. Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all been attributed with an interest. Arsenal are presently heavily linked, especially due to Gael Clichy’s possible impending exit.

Whilst Baines may yet depart, David Moyes has continually stated how Everton will refuse to sell any players unless some extremely sizeable offers come in. It will reassure fans to remember that in Moyes' reign, few players under contract have left Everton against his wishes. Those that have, have been sold for severely inflated sums. Wayne Rooney went for £30 million and Joleon Lescott £24 million.

Out of all the destinations, It is hard to fathom Baines moving to Arsenal, or Spurs for that matter. He is a family man, who has admitted to suffering from homesickness in the past. He is very settled in the North West and is unlikely to want to move away from there. He prevented talks with Bayern Munich escalating in January and would surely do the same were a move to anyone not in the North West of England on the table.

However, that still leaves a trio of clubs situated in the North West, who would all seem more enticing to Baines, allowing him to continue residing where he is.

Everton supporters will hope Manchester City find alternative players, hope Manchester United continue with Patrice Evra (surely there is not much foundation in that link after Evra's new contract), and hope Baines would not ignite the wrath of all Everton fans by crossing Stanley Park and moving to Liverpool. Thankfully Liverpool appear close to signing Jose Enrique, which would quell that rumour. 

Elsewhere, it has recently been written that Arsenal, who came in with a bid for Phil Jagielka last year, may well return with a fresh bid this summer, as the Gunners continue to seek defensive reinforcements. Arsenal have a lot of targets in this position and should find some slightly cheaper defenders more viable.

Jack Rodwell, a mainstay of back pages during previous Transfer Windows, has apparently had attention in him cooled by Manchester United. This is mainly due to a frustrating season for the youngster, who suffered many injuries that blighted his progression. Wait for a formidable showing at the looming European Under-21 Championship, to fully ignite those rumours once again.  

For transfer thrill seekers a little subdued by the lack of action so far, it must be remembered that many players are currently on holiday. Bids may well come in and be accepted, but terms are likely to be protracted as players use this rare football free time in their calendar to unwind.

Whilst some transfers are gradually taking place the pace will really quicken come the end of June and early July. Players will seek a new club before training commences, around the second week of July. It will then intensify right the way through until the end of the Transfer Window, as teams evaluate their options.

That said, it is always fun to sift through the early rumours and see how many of them end up coming to fruition.