The Blues eye Tomas Soucek as new midfield target | OneFootball

Tomas Soucek has emerged as the newest target for Everton as they step up their search for midfielders. According to TEAMtalk, David Moyes wants to be reunited with his former West Ham player.

The report even states that an official bid from Everton could be made shortly. “A £12M offer is in the pipeline – a figure that should meet West Ham’s valuation,” they stated.

The Czechia international joined West Ham from Slavia Prague in 2020. He has made 245 appearances for the London-based club, scoring 41 goals and recording 13 assists.

Moyes is said to be an admirer of the 30-year-old’s talents, and while West Ham are in no hurry to sell Soucek, who still has 2 years left on his contract, they might be willing to part ways should a suitable offer arrive.

Everton have already signed Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent basis, French striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal, and recently completed the transfer of goalkeeper Mark Travers from Bournemouth.

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Eddie Palin 2 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:00:55

That will certainly be in keeping with our policy of recruiting fresh young talent with good sell-on value.

Christy Ring 3 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:04:21

No thanks, he’s 30 best days behind him and West Ham willing to let him go, Luiz would be a forward step in the right direction.

Ryan Holroyd 4 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:05:31

This signing would disappoint me and make zero sense

Andrew Clare 5 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:18:46

No no no.

Kim Vivian 6 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:19:28

I've always liked Soucek (except when playing against us!) and I think £10 - £12m could be a decent outlay. Not an expensive asset by todays horrible financial benchmarks, and with some decent years left in his tank I would have thought.

How many people thought Gareth Barry was only fit to be put out to grass when he joined us.

Alex Kociuba 7 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:24:34

£12m is nothing these days. He's a dependable player that Moyes knows well. Not only is he a phyical defensive presence but also has a goal in him. 30 years old means he has another 4-5 years in him, so if we offered him a 2-3 year contract then this is a no brainer. Squad is threadbare and we need reliable additions ASAP.

Rick Cole 8 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:27:53

If we can get this bloke for 12mill, it's a no brainer. He will work amazingly well in a Moyes system. As to his age, he doesn't rely on place, so at 30 he has 2 or 3, top level years left.

Mihir Ambardekar 9 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:34:12

Hope this is not true. Never thought he was that great. We should target younger players. Douglas Luiz or Palninha would be my choice as they are much better.

Liam Mogan 10 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:37:58

We are not going to get all our No.1 targets. I think we need 2 CMs and I'd be happy with him and one other (preferably Douglas Luiz)

He also has goals in his locker, which we are short of from midfield - around 6-7 a season.

Sam Hoare 11 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:52:12

Hopefully this is just a lazy link. If Moyes really wanted Soucek it would have have now. Maybe he’s a 5th or 6th choice.

Not sure he would start for any of the teams above us.

Frank Crewe 12 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:53:23

The usual grumblings about his age I see. He doesn't turn 31 until next February. Yet everyone was happy to get Gueye signed up and he turns 36 in September. In the last five seasons he's barely missed a game and is a current international. He's experienced, motivated and is a good leader. He's physically strong. Box to box and 6' 4" tall and he chips in with a few goals. He won't ask for silly wages. At £12 million he's within our budget. A two year contract with an option for another year. I don't see a downside. Could be another Peter Reid or Gareth Barry. They came to Everton later in their careers and didn't do too badly if I remember correctly.We've already signed some younger players in Alcaraz, Barry and Travers. But not every player can be bought with an eye on resale value. Especially when we don't really want to sell good players anyway. Just look at the relief when Branthwaite signed his new contract.Pickford in goal, Branthwaite and Tarks in the middle of the defence. Gueye and Soucek centre midfield and Barry/Beto up front. Seems like a strong spine to me.It is wishful thinking to imagine that a PL side can be made up entirely of 20 somethings. Any decent side is a blend of youth and experience. So that is what we should be aiming for.

Richard Duff 13 Posted 16/07/2025 at 14:58:45

Would be a sensible, if unexciting purchase, to fill a position for the next 18-24 months.

Who knows how he will perform at the new stadium but based on his performances against us at Goodison over the years, Where, like Lewis Dunk of Brighton, he always seemed to raise his game and score/create against us, he could be a good asset.

£12m is like £3m in 2015, so, not peanuts but not caviar either.

Danny O'Neill 14 Posted 16/07/2025 at 15:01:10

Well until I see it from credible sources, this can go in the wait and see pile.

There might be something in it, or it could be lazy journalism putting 2+2 together because of the Moyes-West Ham link.

Nothing to get over-excited about just yet.

For those who sometimes quote "in Moyes we trust", if, and if, it was to happen, we'll have to trust his judgement.

That said, and with a more positive outlook, can you imagine the trepidation on opposition defence's gaces as the land of the giants (Branthwaite, O'Brien & Soucek) queue up for corners and set pieces?

James Newcombe 15 Posted 16/07/2025 at 15:19:31

An upgrade on Doucoure, i'd say. As long as we're making another marquee signing (or three!) then i'll be happy.

Jake FitzGerald 16 Posted 16/07/2025 at 15:29:58

I’m hearing a £40 million bid for Jacob Ramsey. That’s more like it.

Jake FitzGerald 17 Posted 16/07/2025 at 15:33:52

Whoops - £30 million, not 40

Edward Rogers 18 Posted 16/07/2025 at 15:36:25

Not overly thrilled, but not overly disappointed either. At least he won't score his usual winner against us. The clamour for Douglas Luis surprises me, never been too impressed when I've watched him (admittedly, not that much)The reality is, we need players, experienced players if poss. they can't all be signings for the future.Hopefully, Davie has spotted the new Cahill, Jagielka, Lescott etc.

Tony Abrahams 19 Posted 16/07/2025 at 15:39:59

I’ve seen snippets in those terrible websites that the new owners of ToffeeWeb, seem very fond of using Jake, so hopefully you have heard this from someone much more credible mate🤞

Martin Berry 20 Posted 16/07/2025 at 16:02:46

Moyes knows this player and how he could fit into his system. The player is quality and the fans will get to like him should he sign, works hard, dependable and has a few goals in him, at 30 ? so what he is not being signed for the 100 metres final.

Mark Murphy 21 Posted 16/07/2025 at 16:04:20

Apparantly, according to Goodison News, Ndiaye will be fuming if we sign Jacob Ramsay and “may feel” Everton don’t trust him.Do people actually get paid for writing such utter shite??

Sam Hoare 22 Posted 16/07/2025 at 16:06:01

Not convinced Soucek is an upgrade on Doucoure at all. The age doesn't worry me but the athleticism does. Not always an issue but I don't think he's in the same bracket as Gareth Barry either. Just a bog-standard hard working player who is grabs the old set piece. Not the worst but would hope for better.

Not high on Jacob Ramsey either. £30m would be alot for someone who has fallen off quite a bit after a good first two seasons.

Paul Kossoff 23 Posted 16/07/2025 at 16:30:56

2nd attempt. Ryan, get him in, ideal replacement for Decoure, younger, fitter, more skilful.

Alan J Thompson 24 Posted 16/07/2025 at 16:43:41

Does anyone know how tall Travers is as Soucek and Barry seem to give the impression that we are buying by height.

Jay Harris 25 Posted 16/07/2025 at 16:46:44

Totally agree with Sam.

We need hungry young players with pace, desire and ability.

Players like Soucek should be a last resort at the end of the window or not at all.

Lee Courtliff 26 Posted 16/07/2025 at 16:47:28

Travers is 6'3, apparently.

Andrew Ellams 27 Posted 16/07/2025 at 17:07:08

Jay, I think we need a bit of both. There will be times we're battling next season and there's no substitute for a bit of experience in a dogfight.

Mike Allison 28 Posted 16/07/2025 at 17:11:20

This would be fine. We have three young midfielders in Garner, Iroegbunam and Armstrong so I see nothing wrong with helping them out with a bit of proven Premier League experience. He’s also a player Moyes knows how to use.

I’d much rather sign more of a ‘footballer’ like Douglas Luiz but, like so many other fans, I believe our limited money is best spent on a really high quality right winger.

Si Pulford 29 Posted 16/07/2025 at 17:21:54

Can we get real please?!! We need a squad. Yes, we should go for Luiz but do we put all our eggs in one basket? No. And yes we should look at youth and re-sale, but a team of 21 year olds )that we would attract..) would get relegated!!

We need goals from all over the pitch. It was a big frustration for Dyche and seemingly Moyes agrees. At 12 million he doesn’t need to set the world on fire but he adds goals assists and graft. Let’s get this type of experience in to help the younger lads along.

Players play longer nowadays. No longer are they all busted flushes at 32.

Si Pulford 30 Posted 16/07/2025 at 17:21:54

Can we get real please?!! We need a squad. Yes, we should go for Luiz but do we put all our eggs in one basket? No. And yes we should look at youth and re-sale, but a team of 21 year olds )that we would attract..) would get relegated!!

We need goals from all over the pitch. It was a big frustration for Dyche and seemingly Moyes agrees. At 12 million he doesn’t need to set the world on fire but he adds goals assists and graft. Let’s get this type of experience in to help the younger lads along.

Players play longer nowadays. No longer are they all busted flushes at 32.

John Burns 31 Posted 16/07/2025 at 17:22:53

Mike, the BBC have just announced Everton have signed a winger. An England winger! My heart leapt, and then I saw it was for the women’s team, who incidentally seem to be having a more fruitful transfer window than the men’s.

Justin Doone 32 Posted 16/07/2025 at 17:54:58

Soucek ticks a lot of boxes, PL proven, misses very few games, reliable, team player, goals from midfield, versatile and known to the manager.

He wouldn't be my first choice West Ham player to bring in if given a wish list but a good player and sensible option.

The price? It all depends on other targets, priority positions and remaining budget. Hopefully the big money deals will be spent on quality, creative, attacking options. But I am not privy to any of that.

Frank Crewe 33 Posted 16/07/2025 at 17:57:14

@Jay 25"We need hungry young players with pace, desire and ability."You forgot to mention ambition. Unfortunately such players are few and far between and extremely expensive. So they are not going to sign for Everton anytime soon.Every transfer window it's the same old same old. Totally unrealistic expectations.

Andrew Keatley 34 Posted 16/07/2025 at 18:01:07

Yes to Soucek. His record of being fit and available is about as good as there is. He has obvious physical attributes, and he is a consistent goal-scorer at Premier League level.

It’s a squad game in the modern era, and for me Soucek is an upgrade on Doucouré. We need strong reinforcements in the squad, especially ones that give us options in terms of how we might want to set up against differing styles of opponent.

I seriously hope any rumours about Jacob Ramsey are true. He has been unlucky with injuries but absolutely has the potential to be in and around England squads for years to come.

Justin Doone 35 Posted 16/07/2025 at 18:10:56

John @31 in reference to signings announced on websites, it really frustrates me that I can't quickly select or filter for the mens game only.

I'm not anti-female but my priority with the majority of sports is the male game. Happy to read and watch plenty of sports of both sexes but I dislike the attention grabbing headlines of transfers at the best of times.

I wish both Everton teams the best for the season I really do, but I have no passion or much loyalty to the Everton womens team.

Paul Smith 36 Posted 16/07/2025 at 18:12:02

Source. Some fella who used to have the best Pink Echo round in South Liverpool. or Team talk. File both under bollocks.

Danny O'Neill 37 Posted 16/07/2025 at 18:20:28

Bring him on for corners then Lee @26!!!! That will be 4 of them, who can bulldoze Van Dijk and the ball into the net.

I don't remember the Pink being sold in south Liverpool Paul. I used to pick one up in town on the way home. A shame it's not still around. It was always a really good immediate post-match read on the way home, with the Toffee Girl and Kopite caricatures at the top of the front page.

Scott Hamilton 38 Posted 16/07/2025 at 19:39:02

Listen, the tea lady costs about £8m these days so, for £12m, get him in!!!

Colin Glassar 39 Posted 16/07/2025 at 19:42:55

Soucek and Coufal are probably nailed on certs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Moyes didn’t go for another old boy, Arnautovic.

As long as it’s not mikhail Antonio

Steve Shave 40 Posted 16/07/2025 at 19:43:20

Numerous "sources" saying we have secured Luiz on loan. I'll take with a pinch of salt but I really hope its true. Our core team with Barry, Luiz and a starter RM and RB would be transformational.

Ian Bennett 41 Posted 16/07/2025 at 19:46:10

For £12m, id rather have kept Doucoure.

Annika Herbert 42 Posted 16/07/2025 at 19:59:35

Not for me this one. Bit of a carthorse in the midfield and offers little apart from the odd goal.

Our midfield would be overrun with him and Gueye in it. Not concerned about his age, just his lack of output.

Tom Bowers 43 Posted 16/07/2025 at 20:02:22

Just another Doucoure?

Jeff Armstrong 44 Posted 16/07/2025 at 20:15:10

I think he triples our midfield goals output in one go.

A decent squad player and £12 million over 3 years would be decent business.

Les Moorcroft 45 Posted 16/07/2025 at 20:15:37

Ste 40,

Where is this information, please?

Dale Self 46 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:01:08

Alright, who gave him the eye?!?

Check yourself, you football slut. We can do better.

Steve Shave 47 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:12:17

Les @45 just 3-4 clickbait sites, I wouldn't pay any attention to it, mate.

I don't know why I even posted it (wishful thinking I guess), it won't happen but I'd love it to.

Christy Ring 48 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:20:29

I wouldn't put Soucek in the skilful or mobile bracket.

His biggest attribute is his heading ability, we need more than that in midfield.

Les Moorcroft 49 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:26:43

Ste 47Just seen on a site some Italian press are saying Everton are about to sign him on loan with a view to signing him. Hope so.

Phil Bellis 50 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:27:47

Danny, in the old days the footie echo would be delivered to the shops in Granby Street at 18:45 (ish) after the 3 o'clock games could be misremembering but don't think so

Robert Tressell 51 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:36:24

Would be a very underwhelming signing but probably not a bad signing if fairly low cost. Could become quite popular even.

Really though no one will really be happy with any of these signings or links until we’ve got the RW forward in like Hutchinson etc because that’s what really upgrades the front 3.

Ian Bennett 52 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:43:38

Daily post made stuff up in the morning, and then echo said it was shite in the afternoon.

Bill Hawker 53 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:54:24

No. We need to be going after younger players. Soucek doesn't make sense for us.

Andy Riley 54 Posted 16/07/2025 at 21:56:04

Danny #37 • maybe before your time but the footy Echo was sold in South Liverpool. I spent many a time waiting outside Haswells on the corner of Heath Road and Mather Avenue waiting for it to be delivered at 6.15pm on Saturdays. The shop stayed open late and there was normally a queue outside.

In those pre internet days many used to buy it religiously and post over to relatives in Canada and Australia?

Derek Knox 55 Posted 16/07/2025 at 22:17:30

I was hoping for a younger and possibly more prolific player. He has been good for West Ham and chipped in with a few goals. No sell on value, if last resort, better than nothing is my opinion.

John Raftery 56 Posted 16/07/2025 at 22:28:25

Nine goals in 35 PL appearances last season is a pretty good return. One of those goals was a smartly taken effort in front of the Park End.

Paul Smith 57 Posted 16/07/2025 at 22:48:46

Danny, I had a round on the Mackets estate - used to deliver the normal echo Saturday morning then the pink late afternoon...the punters loved it.

Tommy Carter 58 Posted 16/07/2025 at 22:55:31

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times. Spend £500m this summer buying amazing players and have us challenging for champions league straight away.

And take a 9 point hit in a couple of years.

And in the meantime do everything you can to circumvent the penalty like the big clubs do.

And if that doesn’t work. Take a 9 point hit with an excellent squad of players.

Liam Mogan 59 Posted 16/07/2025 at 23:03:03

The Pink Echo used to get delivered to our local shop on Windsor Street at about 6 on Saturdays. My dad used to send me to get it, up until the late 80s.

Brendan McLaughlin 60 Posted 16/07/2025 at 23:28:13

Paul #57

"then the pink late afternoon...the punters loved it."

You could have phrased that better.

Bob Parrington 61 Posted 17/07/2025 at 02:53:51

Strong, tall guy with an eye for a headed goal but I'd rather we brought in a younger player, if we have the choice.

Eric Myles 62 Posted 17/07/2025 at 02:59:08

Didn't Leeds try that at one time Tommy #58?

Derek Thomas 63 Posted 17/07/2025 at 04:09:11

No and on reflection - deffo No.We...and Moyes ffs, need to be signing the player he was 5 or 6 years ago.

Ajay Gopal 64 Posted 17/07/2025 at 06:13:28

Brining Soucek in would hamper Armstrong's progress, in my opinion. Both are similar players in terms of physicality, but of course, Soucek has PL goal-scoring pedigree which will take Armstrong at least a couple of years to catch up, if at all. But, Armstrong seems to be a more skilful player on the ball, and I suspect he could turn into a very good player for us over time, but only if he plays regularly. If Moyes did sign Soucek, he will be a guaranteed starter - like Neville was all those years ago. I would rather that we signed a more creative midfielder like Luiz or Gallagher. A midfield of Gueye, Luiz, Garner, Armstrong, Iroegbunam, Alcaraz is decent for a mid-table team that we are likely to be next season.

Eric Myles 65 Posted 17/07/2025 at 06:25:09

Annika #42 "Bit of a carthorse in the midfield and offers little apart from the odd goal."

Isn't that Lukaku you're describing? ;-)

Annika Herbert 66 Posted 17/07/2025 at 06:42:23

Made me laugh Eric, can’t be a bad pet when it does that :)

Danny O'Neill 67 Posted 17/07/2025 at 07:18:48

Well, I stand corrected on the Pink Echo then!! I too had two paper rounds. The nationals and Daily Post in the morning before school, then the Echo in the afternoon when I got back if I hadn't sagged school. Someone with a better memory than me will have to remind me. Wasn't the Daily Post the sister paper of the Echo? I think one still exists, but isn't connected to the Echo anymore?

It must be a dying trade these days.

On Soucek. I wouldn't describe him as a carthorse. A glamorous signing? No, of course not. I hope that if (again if) it was to happen, it wouldn't mean Armstrong going out on loan. He's already benefited from a loan and is a different type of player.

This is Moyes' first window. When he arrived in January, he inherited what he left and the Alcaraz loan will already have been agreed.

So now, he gets to influence which players he wants and we can judge him on that, through performances and results.

Sam Hoare 68 Posted 17/07/2025 at 07:31:31

Ajay@64, this is a good point. The only way that we catch up with the teams above is by developing younger players into top talents. Players like Branthwaite, Ndiaye and hopefully Barry, Alcaraz, Chermitti and Armstrong etc.

Of course we need to throw a little bit of experience into the mix but we already have Pickford, Tarkowksi, Gueye and McNeil in the team plus the likes of Coleman and Keane on the bench.

Soucek is a reliable, mid-level player who will get us a few goals. But he's not a brilliant footballer who will elevate us. As a squad option he'd be great but he won't want that and I suspect Moyes would start him every week. Think I'd rather get Brownhill on a free and put that £12m towards a more exciting prospect.

Or maybe spend a little bit more on someone like Douglas Luiz who, when fit, is a CL level player. Though depends what his price is; not sure i'd want to pay much more than £20m for a player of that age and injury record.

Mike Allison 69 Posted 17/07/2025 at 07:45:50

We already have three young midfielders, so complaining about his age doesn’t make much sense.

Also, I’d argue that Armstrong could learn from someone who’s been as effective as Soucek.

It also means that me and my daughters can do the “he’s soooo Czech!” joke more often.

Danny O'Neill 70 Posted 17/07/2025 at 07:54:21

I'll revert back to something I've continuously repeated in recent seasons.

We need better quality and more players. Would Soucek add quality? Questionable depending on opinions. Would he be a useful addition? Probably.

We have survived on 12-14 core players with not enough young players coming through for several years. With injuries and suspensions, that is not a recipe for progress, let alone success.

I know it's not purely a numbers game, but we do need depth to compete on 3 fronts.

Ray Roche 71 Posted 17/07/2025 at 07:57:11

When my arl feller took me to the match, we’d walk back down Walton/Scotland Rd to Dale St and then down to the Pier Head to get the Crosville home to Tarbock Rd. By the time we got there, the pink Football Echo was already there! Me Dad would buy it and check all the results from around the country.I remember a big motorcycle showroom (Cundles?) on the bend as we turned into Dale St…all sorts of old makes, Francis Barnet, Excelsior, Matchless etc., and my snotty nose pressed against the window pining for one. It was 1959

Mike Gaynes 72 Posted 17/07/2025 at 08:07:08

Sam #68, injury record? Luiz almost never missed a game in five seasons at Villa. He had no injury problems at all until he moved to Juventus and developed a thigh muscle issue that cost him 20 games. I'd be inclined to just write off the whole Juve season as a disaster for him and the club. It happens. No reason to think he's got ongoing health issues.

I do think that the idea of getting him for £20m is wildly optimistic when Juve spent €50m for him a year ago. Football Italia reports we offered them €30m, which seems more reasonable, but they said no thanks. La Gazzetta dello Sport says Hammers offered even less.

I'd like to think we have a shot at him. If he wants to get back in frame for Brazil by next summer, he need lots of games, and his best chance of that is with us.

And he'd be way better for us than Soucek. Somebody to build around.

Sam Hoare 73 Posted 17/07/2025 at 08:25:33

Yes, Mike, I think when you miss 20 games at age 27 it's a factor in decision making.

I like the player a lot. Significant upgrade on Soucek. But would be wary spending too much our pot on a player with limited resale value. Depends what offers Juventus get but seems like they don't see a future for him. I think £30m would be too much, should be getting the next Luiz for that amount. Someone like Lamine Camara or even Bouaddi.

Mal van Schaick 74 Posted 17/07/2025 at 08:42:50

I think that an experienced midfield player along with Gana would be good around the younger midfield players.

We have to strike a balance with a younger average age for the 1st team or a mixture of young and experienced.

Robert Tressell 75 Posted 17/07/2025 at 08:59:01

The important thing to understand is that we are not building a squad just for season 2025/26.

Whatever we do this summer, the squad for season 2025/26 will probably be no better than 10th in the Premier League - and realistically more about 12th.

We will not win the title or compete the Champions League places this coming season. At best (and this is not to be sniffed at) we could sneak a place in Europe or even win a cup.

However, the main aim must be to build a squad which can start competing consistently in the upper reaches of the Premier League and have a much better chance of cup trophies - and done well we could do that in about 3 summer windows.

If we buy a player like Douglas Luiz this summer - it will likely be on a 3 year deal. That means we buy a 27 year old who has started to experience injury issues, is dropping down a couple of notches from previous spells at City, Villa and Juve - and who will be worth nothing in three years age 30.

To me that looks a really risky move - with very little upside. It has early years Moshiri written all over it.

If we could get Soucek for a low fee (i.e. less than £10m) and bring in a talented young player alongside also for about £10m or so (as well as developing Armstrong on loan), then in 3 years time Soucek will be done at very little cost but Armstrong and AN Other could be ready to kick on as properly developed Premier League midfielders.

That is a much better way to build the squad and manage the financials.

Liam Mogan 76 Posted 17/07/2025 at 09:09:51

We still need about 5/6 players. That squad is awfully thin.

Stu Darlington 77 Posted 17/07/2025 at 09:15:56

Agree Sam.Luíz would certainly add much needed quality to our midfield, but would hesitate to pay£30 M for him.Yes Mike@72 I also think his injury last season has to be a factor in any negotiations.Our budget is not unlimited as some people seem to think and must be spent wisely.I fear that means we will end up with a number of underwhelming signings like Soucek and Coufal to buy us the time over the next few years to gradually add quality.As for an attacking RW, I hear Ipswich have turned down a £30M bid for Omari Hutchinson.I’m not sure we should consider topping that for him,but who knows?

Robert Tressell 78 Posted 17/07/2025 at 09:36:17

I don’t think £30m+ is too much for Hutchinson.

He could occupy the RW spot for 10 years - delivering great value. And if he becomes brilliant and we sell it would be for £70m or so.

Moyes fairly regularly spent the equivalent of £35m back in his first spell with us.

Ian Bennett 79 Posted 17/07/2025 at 09:39:32

If you can get Luiz for £30m, and move him on to Saudi 3 or 4 years time for similar money, then I don't see an issue.

Tony Abrahams 80 Posted 17/07/2025 at 09:50:10

Taking away the points deduction we have come 13th the two previous seasons Robert.

The points deduction undermined that season and Dyche’s negative football, was undermining last season.

I think if we can get off to a decent start, then we can definitely push into the top eight next year, and if we can achieve this then we might suddenly start to become a football club, that good players want to play for, once again?

Let’s see who we bring in during this transfer window first, obviously!

Danny O'Neill 81 Posted 17/07/2025 at 10:00:46

Robert @75. Another way of looking at Luiz, is that if it was to happen and if we got 3 years out of him and if he helped us progress, then it's a good signing. At 27, he's hardly ready for his football pension just yet.

There is always an element of here and now, whilst concurrently building for future in the background. If we wait another 3 - 5 years, it's too late. We've already waited 30-40 years.

Many on here seem to rate him. I passingly watched him have a few good seasons for Villa, who had to sell him for PSR reasons, as they were and still are under scrutiny. They have already been fined £9.5m with possibly another £13m to follow. More of a rap on the knuckles, but I'm hearing they may still have to sell another key player.

I wouldn't say he's starting to pick up injuries. He picked up an injury. For those who have torn a thigh / quad muscle (I have), they are notoriously tricky to come back from short-term. A bit like ligaments and hamstrings (done them too), just when you think you're okay, you break down again if you come back too quickly. Give me a break anytime, as long as it's not complicated. I've had them too. After one, I was back playing after 5 weeks. It took months after the others.

I've read with interest the clamour for Luiz on here, without really commenting. I can't get too excited until I something credible.

From what I've read, Juventus paid approximately £45m (exchange rate dependent) only a year ago. If the unsubstantiated claims we are looking at £20m, then I can't see that happening, especially with Italian clubs being notoriously difficult to deal with.

But we don't control this, we just speculate from our individual wish lists.

Sam Hoare 82 Posted 17/07/2025 at 10:13:07

Robert@78 I think it depends how sure you are that Hutchinson can develop into a CL level RW. Not convinced he showed that much in the PL last season and with Bakayoko costing £18m and Concecaio (a superior player) costing £28m I think £35m+ for Hutchinson might look like suspect value. If he becomes the next Bowen which is plausible then its fine, depends on talent ID.

Ian@79 interesting point, though difficult to predict who Saudi will lavish their inflated transfer fees on? they do seem to like Brazilians.

Ian Bennett 83 Posted 17/07/2025 at 10:24:03

If he's a regular Brazil international and stays injury free, he could play till he is 35.

There will always be a demand for that type of player I think.

Geoff Lambert 84 Posted 17/07/2025 at 10:52:44

Don't get this no resale value thing. If you buy quality and it elevates you up the table by lets say 2 places per season for the 3 years of their contract that equates to around £3 million per position per season. So IRO £18 million for the quality bought in. Or take a gamble on two or three younger players that may or may not make the grade. The quality of players coming to the club is also reflected on the quality of players in the squad.

Ian Bennett 85 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:08:51

Concecaio is the more complete player. Even if juve sign him, id have a go at a loan for a season.

Robert Tressell 86 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:11:55

Douglas Luiz would be a free transfer in 3 or 4 years at the end of his contract. We would not get a fee.

Bakayoko was cheap because he only had a year left in his contract.

Grant Rorrison 87 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:18:49

Robert 78.

"Moyes fairly regularly spent the equivalent of £35m back in his first spell with us."

Kieran Dyer left Ipswich for Newcastle in 1999 for a fee of 6m. I don't remember Moyes regularly spending 6m on a player in his first spell here.

Ian Bennett 88 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:25:54

Robert, I was assuming he got a 4 year contract perhaps with an option, and that the club could cash in with 2 years left on his deal.

Not saying we sell him when he's out of contract.

Robert Tressell 89 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:28:22

Grant # 88 then you are overlooking fellaini, yakubu, Neville, Johnson, wright, Pienaar, Lescott, Dustin, Jagielka, baines, mirallas, van der Meyde, Beattie and Bilyaletdinov

Robert Tressell 90 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:30:47

Geoff # 85, both Everton and Man Utd have also not focussed on resale over the last 10 years - whereas the RS have focussed on it very very heavily indeed. It’s important

Danny O'Neill 91 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:32:19

Geoff @85. Like you, resale value is not the first thought on my mind when we are lining up potential transfer targets. It isn't really of concern to me. That's for the club to decide. There's always a balance between short-term and long-term investment.

Grant@88. Off the top of my head and without looking it up, so excuse if the numbers aren't accurate. Fellaini (£15m), Yakubu (£12m), Baines (up to £6m), Beattie (£6m). I suppose you could throw in the ill-fated Kroldrup (£4m).

I think Robert is adding inflation and today's market context. Perhaps a couple of those players in their prime now, would cost a lot more. I understand what he means.

Back to your earlier post. I understand the caution, but 10th - 12th wouldn't represent much progress or improvement on last season for me. Providing we get the right players in before the season starts and then in January, there is no reason we can't do better than that.

Like I've said, if he gets the backing, which I hope he does, Moyes will now be judged on his team, not the one he inherited. No excuses.

He said on camera after the Southampton game that it felt like a broken club. Agreed.

But then followed up by saying it doesn't feel broken any more.

Good. Now go and fix it and get us back where we can and should be. And that isn't 10th, 11th or 12th.

Grant Rorrison 92 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:34:56

Robert 90.

Quite a lot of them didn't cost 6m plus. Neville was a about 3.5m, as was Wright. Pienaar cost 2.5m the first time and about 4.5m the second time. Maybe you're adding them together?

Lescott 5m. Distin 5m. Jagielka 4m and Baines 5m. Van Der Meyde was 2.5m and Beattie 5m.

Ian Bennett 93 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:49:05

Of course resale value is important. You cant let players walk away for free, when competitors are getting 1-5 X return on the outlay.

We cant be here in 5 years time looking to spend £100-150m in the market, and have nothing coming in the other way. No increase in league position covers that every season.

The best teams play in the market. They sell the players that they don't want or the ones where they have met a valuation, to bring in players they want. Madrid, barca, Liverpool, Brighton, they all do it.

Robert Tressell 94 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:51:38

Grant # 93 transfermarkt says otherwise - and £35m is just not a big fee these days.

Andrew Clare 95 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:52:57

Look at Ndiaye and Alcaraz, they didn't cost a fortune. With wise scouting and looking abroad rather than in the UK there are definitely good players out there.

Look at some of the European teams that do well in European competitions, they don't spend obscene amounts to get success.

Also, if we are building for the future we need players that are 26 years old or younger.

Grant Rorrison 96 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:53:09

Robert 95.

It is if it's a massive chunk of your total budget.

Andrew Clare 97 Posted 17/07/2025 at 11:57:54

I agree Danny.We should be looking at a top ten finish.3 or 4 quality players will definitely transform the 1st team. We have the nucleus of a good team.This opportunity to rebuild should not be missed.

Sam Hoare 98 Posted 17/07/2025 at 12:03:08

It amazes me when people say resale value doesn't matter. Have you been watching for the last 6 years? People trusted Moshiri and he paid little heed to resale value thinking he could just overpay for proven quality to get up the table and look what happened.

Of course bad scouting didn't help us but we got into a terrible PSR hole because we didn't have enough players to sell whilst the likes of Brighton zoomed up the table.

This is not to say that all players need to be youngsters of course but the only way we can come close to matching the teams ahead of us will be by developing top class talents along with a few, affordable experienced pros.

Ultimately football is a business and we need to get much better at it.

Andrew Ellams 99 Posted 17/07/2025 at 12:21:11

The problem with the concept of resale value is that it suggests we are buying young players when their value is low so that we can sell them at a profit when they become too good for our level.

I'd rather see us do what Man Utd or Arsenal did in with the likes of Rooney or Henry. Buy them young and then build success around them before moving them on when they're no longer at the level we need.

Sam Hoare 100 Posted 17/07/2025 at 12:32:34

Andrew, sadly we don't have the revenue streams of Arsenal or Man Utd. But we can do what Brighton have done, buy good young players who can get us up the table, sell them at a high price and then replace with more good young players who can get us even further up the table.

Hurzeler should have done better than 8th with that team last year but, under Potter and then De Zerbi, they went from 17th to 6th whilst selling Bissouma, Cucurella, Trossard, White, Burn, Macallister and Caciedo for around £250M.

Robert Tressell 101 Posted 17/07/2025 at 12:33:43

We need RW, Hutchison is a really good candidate and there are not lots of others if you want someone ready made for the position. Kubo, Doak and a few others.

You can find good value cheaper but you typically have to spend time developing the player. Or as with Alcaraz and Ndiaye you have to beat the market. However, you can't count on beating the market every time. No one does that ever.

If £35m is a very big chunk of our kitty then we have a small kitty - and however you spend small kitty it is hard to make meaningful improvements.

I think a successful window gives us a decent first XI with some new younger players with Champions League potential who can occupy their positions for many years. It might mean buying a few cheap underwhelming stop gaps like Coufal etc if we use up the money on bigger buys.

Whilst I don't think we will end the window with one of the 10 best squads, we can be fairly close – and can still overperform our quality in league placing as we have done for the past few seasons.

Danny O'Neill 102 Posted 17/07/2025 at 12:44:46

Sam @99,

We all watched the Moshiri years unfold.

I've watched the last 50 years, some longer.

I'm in both camps and I can be quoted on it.

As he seems to be flavour of the month, I'll use the unrealistic chance of landing 27 year old Luiz. We get 3 years out him, he possibly helps us improve. At 30, we can still get something for him or extend his contract.

That's the short-term view that sometimes has to be looked at.

We won't get anything for Tarkowski or Gana, but they are important players for us.

But we could for O'Brien, Branthwaite, Garner, Ndiaye, Alcaraz, Beto, and now Barry.

But I wouldn't be selling any of those any time soon.

As always, opinions Sam, but resale and how much can we get for him isn't the first thing that comes into my head when we are signing a player.

The Moshiri era has gone.

Tommy Carter 103 Posted 17/07/2025 at 12:51:31

@62

What they tried kind of worked as they reached Champions League semi-finals.

Some of their heavy investments, such as Rio Ferdinand, were sold at profit. Showing the logic behind buying players with resale prospects. Rather than buying 5 Tomas Souceks with no prospect of ever getting your money back, let alone making a profit.

Buying such talent offsets the risk somewhat as you can sell your way out of trouble if it goes badly wrong.

What went wrong for them was mismanagement of having average players on huge long contracts and not securing the long-term futures of assets such as Kewell and Bowyer and then losing them for less than you'd like.

What Leeds also gambled with was not having the finances in the first place to invest and lending and borrowing against future success. Whereas TFG are a billion-dollar corporation.

Sam Hoare 104 Posted 17/07/2025 at 13:04:41

Danny, I think value is one of the first things I look at. It's the difference between a good deal or not. Between money to spend on the next issue or not. Of course cheap, able additions like Gueye, Tarkowski etc are important too.

That's why I'd be up for Douglas Luiz with an option to buy around £20M but I certainly wouldn't want to go above £30M.

Maybe it's unromantic but I want to see us improve and that means being smarter. Moshiri may be gone but we're still waiting to see how the new regime will operate.

Andrew Clare 105 Posted 17/07/2025 at 13:05:07

I remember Tommy Docherty's Man Utd team that won promotion in ‘77 had an average age of 24. It was an exciting team because it was full of fearless talented youngsters.

Okay, it was a different era and things have changed massively since then but I still think that a young talented team could succeed.

Harrison Armstrong should be retained and not sent out on loan for a start. To quote the old cliche – if they're old enough, they are good enough. Give him a run in the team.

Robert Tressell 106 Posted 17/07/2025 at 13:07:59

Danny # 103, Gueye and Tarkowski are really good examples of sensible business. Very low cost and so you forego resale.

Plan A should really be that you don't sell (unless youth trading purely for profit as per the RS).

Plan A is that you build up a good stable squad of players who occupy their positions for many years.

But if things don't work out then resale value protects your position – as it did with Onyekuru, Lookman, Kean and Vlasic – making sure you have money to spend in future.

And if someone is so good then they attract a huge bid then that doesn't go amiss either.

No club has been doing this better than the RS unfortunately.

Grant Rorrison 107 Posted 17/07/2025 at 13:35:17

Robert @102.

How much do you think we've got then? If it's £80M to start with, then £35M is a 'big chunk'. Especially as we've already spent about £45M and would be left with nothing, while still needing more signings.

Tommy @104.

There is only one Tomas Soucek and he'd make sense as a signing for a couple of years given the complete lack of goals in our current team.

Danny O'Neill 108 Posted 17/07/2025 at 13:38:57

I feel unclean agreeing with you Robert, but Liverpool have been doing it for years.

They may have overspent by paying £30m for the eventual dude Caroll, but they sold Torres on the same day for £50m.

They made a ridiculous profit from Coutinho.

I'm not at all against resale. I just prefer a blend of both. I think most managers do as well.

109 Posted 17/07/2025 at 14:11:24

Grant I reckon we might spend net between £75m and £100m. Maximum about £120m

Even at the very top end it is nowhere near enough to improve the squad so that it is one of the best 8.

For what it is worth transfermarkt says we have the 17th best squad in the Prem but closer to Leeds and Burnley in 18th and 19th than Wolves in 16th.

So inevitably it will take 3 windows or possibly more to achieve a top 8 standard squad. Again that doesn’t mean we can’t over perform and finish higher.

So spending bigger on a problem position that will really improve the first IX for more than 5 years is fine by me. Even if that means Coufal at RB for free and someone like Ugochukwu on loan from Chelsea in midfield.

A long term RB might have to wait.

Geoff Lambert 110 Posted 17/07/2025 at 14:41:30

So Liverpool looking at Isac for a fee reportedly of £130 million he will be 26 in a few weeks, looks like they wont be getting a resale on that in five years time. how stupid will they look? and Arsenal north of £50 million for Martin Zubimendi 27 next birthday, City Tijjani Reijnders £47 million age 27.Why would they buy players with no retail value at the end of their contract? because they want to drastically improve their squad now. That is What Everton need to do now, not hoping to emulate Brighton and Brentford and god forbid Bournemouth. Mosheri and teary Bill have gone now so lets assume the new kids on the block actually know what they are doing now.

Jay Harris 111 Posted 17/07/2025 at 14:53:17

The only logic in getting a Soucek or a Gana Gueye is to get them on a free not pay 10-15m for them.

I see Walker Peters move to Besiktas has been cancelled. He is one that we could get on a free and would have sone resale value in a couple of years.

Robert Tressell 112 Posted 17/07/2025 at 15:26:32

Geoff # 110, the RS are in a position to do this level of spending because of their approach to resale value. They trade a high volume of players for profit- like Brighton but more so.

It allows them to keep pace with and outperform better resourced clubs like City, Chelsea and Man Utd.

I would also like us to outperform those clubs but it won’t be done by spending £20m quid here or there on downward trajectory 27 (+) year olds. It will take time.

Otherwise I think the answer to all your other observations is already scattered across half a dozen existing posts on the thread.

Derek Knox 113 Posted 17/07/2025 at 15:28:49

Slightly off topic, but I am becoming increasingly worried, as to a rumour that won't go away. I know they are mostly clickbait/shite etc, but this one keeps rearing it's extremely ugly head. No smoke without fire ?

Allegedly, going back in for Jack (the kack) Harrison. If it's to help cutting the grass, or cleaning the toilets, then Yes, no problem, but anything football related, a definite NO !

Paul Kossoff 114 Posted 17/07/2025 at 15:35:11

Red shite to buy Ekitike? I can imagine thousands of dense red shite supporters standing in front of a mirror, holding the shirt up, and trying to work out why the name is not reversed, then taking the shirt back and demanding a refund.

Danny O'Neill 115 Posted 17/07/2025 at 15:40:48

I don't think that has always been the case with them Robert.

They have indeed had a few good examples, but when they slipped into the shadow of Ferguson's Manchester United, they also brought in a few experienced players.

Robert Tressell 116 Posted 17/07/2025 at 15:45:27

Yes Danny the thing that got the RS out of the wilderness years is precisely what I am talking about now.

Steve Brown 117 Posted 17/07/2025 at 15:54:04

Liverpool net spend over the last 3 transfer windows:

January 2024: £0Summer 2024: -£17.8 millionJanuary 2025: £0.

They only bought Giorgi Mamardashvili (£29 million) and Enrico Chiesa (£10 million) in those 3 transfer windows.

That is why they can afford to spend now, not resale value.