The transfer window now open, one transfer already sealed, it's now time to ask "who's next?" If the papers are to be believed, much of the current Everton squad will be putting pen to paper soon, with Jagielka, Arteta & Peinaar (and I think possible Rodwell & someone else too...) all linked within the last month. Now more realistic transfer links:
Koscielny from Lorient c.£8.5 million
Joe Cole - free transfer
Mark Schwarzer from Fulham £3.5 million
Winston Reid from FC Midtjylland £1.25 million
The Koscielny move sounds like it's about to happen, the only hold up being that Arsene Wenger has left his Blackberry in London, and I feel that him and Vermaelen at the back will be a strong pairing, with Djourou, Nordtveit and (hopefully) Campell as cover.
Joe Cole would certainly add some strength and depth to the squad, and I've been rooting for his signature for a while. He should put pen to paper within the next week, after England have returned home post losing to Germany... I bet Theo Walcott is happy that he didn't go, they've been awful.
Mark Schwarzer I think will be a great signing, at 37 he's at the tail end of his career with maybe 2 or 3 years left in him, providing the perfect amount of time for Szczesney to be out on loan gaining experience. In the meantime, he's a quality shot stopper, and proven at the highest level.
I think that Winston Reid would be a shrewd signing by Wenger, at £1.25 million, he's not too expensive, and is worth taking a gamble on, at only 20 he would represent a typical Wenger signing. The right-back really proved himself with New Zealand at the World Cup, scoring their first goal of the finals, securing them a historic point. Extremely capable, and with no real cover for Sagna, he would certainly be a great addition to the squad.
As predicted a month ago, Fabregas still hasn't left, and I doubt he will anytime soon; the less said about the subject the better. Campbell looks like he might be going to Celtic on a 2 year deal. I really hope he doesn't but I can understand why he'd opt for that, with 1st team opportunities looking limited for him next term. The only other player recently linked with the exit door is Alex Song, I think it was Fenerbache who were rumoured to have bid £4 million for him. No chance, arguably our most improved player last season, and probably missed more in his absence that RVP or Cesc.
So to sum up, I hope that those 4 players are signed and that noone else leaves - with Merida, Senderos, Gallas and Silvestre already gone - if things do play out as I hope, I think we'll have a squad really capable of challenging for silverware next season.
Now all that remains is to wish Philippe Senderos the best of luck at Fulham - unless they're playing us -and for the rest of his career. Also farewells to Fran Merida - now of Athletico Madrid - Mikel Silvestre and William Gallas, who are currently clubless.
