Mark

Father/Evertonian/Teacher. That order.

[Mark @efc2325]

@EFCdaily_ Think time has come to move on. He wants same terms. He will get that and more in Saudi. We shouldn’t be offering it to a player who has been a stalwart for Everton, but is inevitably on the decline now

[Mark @efc2325]

@spuddy1878 @NHoultCricket Agree. Stokes is 35. He’s not a kid. Have a lock in, if you have to. Rent a venue. After all the furore why put yourself in this position again?

[Mark @efc2325]

@EFCLyndon They were never going to let him leave on a free. Extending is contract by 12 months does very little to change situation; we’d be forced to sell cut price In Jan still. It’s simply a sensible business decision

[Mark @efc2325]

@HumphreysECHO @MattJFootball Everton will be the biggest club he plays for, but you could move him on and still command a decent fee. I think you get 7-10m from the right sort of team.

[Mark @efc2325]

@KieranJ_1979 If he come on the market at 7-8m you’d have a few bottom quarter prem clubs who’d bite your hand off, despite what folk think of him. Defensively decent, disciplined, always available, highly experienced and on decent money

Hence correct call to renew for now

[Mark @efc2325]

@RBMersey They’ll always have to be compromise though. I’d rather he had 2 years left next year, maybe buy us another 6 months, than be forced to renew or sell if Aznou isn’t ready to be backup, or he’s out the door post loan

[Mark @efc2325]

@HumphreysECHO @MattJFootball It’s a good deal for all parties. We protect the asset, give ourselves 12 months to replace him, and give Aznou a look on loan. In 2027 he’s still two years left, we can decide on our terms. Either 2nd choice or we look to sell. You’d have a buyer at 8-12m

[Mark @efc2325]

@saywattharry @MattJFootball I can understand why. If you only extend 12 months then you have to make a call in January as he’d be available on a free.

Despite his shortcomings, he’s good enough long term to be a squad player at Everton. If not, selling him with 12-18 months on a deal.. you’d get 8-12m

[Mark @efc2325]

@SimonFlynnefc @EvertonNewsFeed Warning bell because of the level of investment in a player you won’t be able to shift if it doesn’t work out

It’s not an issue of buying players for now; the issue is AWB for me isn’t good enough to be a starter long term, but is on top money at 29 years old.

[Mark @efc2325]

@SimonFlynnefc @EvertonNewsFeed I don’t think it’s a binary choice is it? Kids or AWB.

This is the sort of warning bell signing we’ve been burned with before. Especially since Moyes won’t be here in 12 months time.

Like I say, I’d take him on loan, but I wouldn’t be investing 30m+ into his profile.

[Mark @efc2325]

@SimonFlynnefc @EvertonNewsFeed He’s hardly an ambitious signing

[Mark @efc2325]

@SimonFlynnefc @EvertonNewsFeed But he’s not Grealish or Rashford. They’re elite players. AWB wasn’t getting a game at WHU

I’d have him on loan if West Ham want rid for a year, potentially. I wouldn’t want a thirty million investment in AWB though. At a wage and age where you’d never move him on

[Mark @efc2325]

@SimonFlynnefc @EvertonNewsFeed 89k basic wage is very high. He’d be one of Everton’s top earners.

[Mark @efc2325]

@zaM_Mit @EvertonNewsFeed He’s on too much money to be anything other than a first 11 starter

[Mark @efc2325]

@SimonFlynnefc @EvertonNewsFeed Let’s be honest, the issue is his wage, not as much the transfer fee.

90k a week with 6 years left on the deal….

[Mark @efc2325]

@Richlloyd1984 @notJoth On the wages he’d be on, he needs to be your starting RB, and for me he’s not good enough

[Mark @efc2325]

@EFCdaily_ @SteveKelly86 @SkySportsLyall That’s how negotiations work. We hold more cards that ‘Boro here.

[Mark @efc2325]

@TransfersToffee No Chance.

[Mark @efc2325]

@Jackdoggydogg I don’t think they’re in decline at all.

[Mark @efc2325]

@DanielWood9578 @ChampionshpTalk @DKingTelegraph He’s out of contract next year