Hafnia

Anyone know who he turned down? Interested to know.

With Rom it was about price and attitude. I couldn't really accept that a lad with so much to learn was calling himself complete, and demanding champions league football. I'm hoping the world cup gave him a wake up call. But the general consensus Is that he is a statement of intent from Everton. I belief the deal is structured very smartly, £5m down a rest on installments means we can buy more players, and if the time comes to cash in on lukaku then we pay off Chelsea.

The Argentina league is far superior, absolutely no question. The defenders are so much stronger and physical. There is no comparison. Either way, not arsed with carrying this on. If the stats that were posted on that rosta were relevant and critical in assessing a players ability then Alan Shearer should have been crap. Rom is ours now, people can't take the piss out of us, we have stumped up a large wad of cash, let's enjoy watching him justify it.

Not sulking, as I've said elsewhere I'm ok with this and hope he goes on to justify his fee. It's all these posters with Aguero, Rooney etc etc number of goals by the age of 21. I'm pretty certain I could find similar stats that make Richard Wright the best 21 year old keeper at his time given his strong early years s breaking into Ipswich first 11 at 18 years old. I'd sooner just say he has the physical attributes to become a very good player. These pictures and stats just look like a 12 year old has been let loose on paint shop. In the cold light of day scoring 35 goals in the jupiler league as a physically mature 16-18 year old does not compare to agueros feats doing it in the argentinian league and then in the Spanish league. Let's just get on with wishing the lad a good and productive pre season, let's see if he can become one of the top 3 goal scorers next season and I'll happily put a poster up of that one.

I'm probably more excited about this signing than Rom. With Rom we kinda know what to expect, this lad could be an absolute steal and transform our midfield further, allow us to rest Barry, form a partnership with McCarthy which allows Ross to express himself.

Aguero played for independiente in a league against clubs like Boca, river plate, a league ranked as the 7th toughest in world football.... Basically there is little basis to make a sound comparison.

I agree, I think the biggest factor in getting better is physical stamina, asserting himself more and improving his focus. As I've stated before, I don't think he's technically all there and probably will not get his touch etc up to a desired level. But I do think he is a 20 goal a season striker. Will he become a £50m rated player? Not for me no, but I do think he will always be worth £18m plus. He will likely continue to amaze and frustrate and in latter weeks a £20m plus fee is not so ridiculous. I just think some people can lose sight of the fact that he has got lots to improve on and has a lot of hard work ahead of him.

As I stated, it's hardly a robust statistic to establish his status amongst the world's elite. He scored 35 or so for anderlecht from 16 whilst the others were playing for clubs competing at a higher level. There could be someone 17 years old who bangs in 30 goals a season for TNS in the Welsh league. It looks a really impressive stat till you scratch beneath the surface. Don't wanna piss on bonfires and stuff as it's been a big signing and many young fans probably feel like I did when we signed kanchelskis.

I think lukaku does have some work to do and will do well to take mourinhos comments on board. I think the crux of it is that lukaku didn't want the competition for places, at Everton he is clearly number 1 striker, but I'm afraid that he has another thing coming if he thinks he will get carte blanche. Naismith, Kone, and a few kids will be aiming for their chances up front, Rom can't get complacent. As in the world cup, we seen how petulant he can be when things don't go his way. Let's hope he hits the ground running, has a solid season and breaks the 20 goal Mark.

Yeah he came across well, £28m??? 10m too much but he said he needs to improve at being more efficient offensively, which was good to hear.

Have we outsourced our press conferences to kitbag as well?

I'll be 100% behind the lad, regardless of my opinion on him he is a marquee signing and is a good bit of exposure for the club. Still got a bit to go before I'm sure he will be the player many think he is. Money in the game is mental.

Clowns... This does not happen at the likes of United. Kids who want "full kit" for birthday etc are now getting shorts and top with a random pair of socks or none... Poss poor it really is.

Seriously....

You better believe it, I even know a Coventry fan....

Spoke to a Hungarian lad who works in my local, reckons this lad has the potential to be very very good. He's a big ac Milan fan, but is like an encyclopedia on football. At 2-4m he reckons it's a bargain.

I don't see where it is that being a big fan of Roberto means you throw any judgement you have of a player out the window. It is possible to rate a manager but question a potential signing. Just like it's ok to question games where he got his tactics wrong.

Keep up the battle Mike.

Do we know how much Roberto is happy to pay? I don't believe we do. I do have faith in Roberto, does this mean I don't trust my own judgement too? No, of course it doesn't. At a lower price lukaku can be a good signing, not at the 20m bracket.

thanks for the input... I like the look of the lad.

I must say, he hasn't quite taken the club to his heart the way I thought he would.

whatever... just make any deal to wherever soon enough so we can get on with who we are going to sign with what money we have.

Physicality is the main reason you don't see many young lads play at 16 - at 16 he was physically developed enough and good enough to play in the belgian league, its hardly the same as Michael Owen, Messi or Wayne Rooney playing international class defenders in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Anderlecht have won their league 33 times... he was a striker in a team that presented more goalscoring opportunites than most team in eurpoe against their opponents. I'm not getting into this whole debate on why he has more goals at 21, its an insult to anyones intelligence to suggest that it stands up to Messi, Rooney, Owen and Shearer. There are so many inconsistencies to consider to make it a tangible metric.

I remember the Kanchelskis transfer, recall United and Donetsk squabbling over sell on etc, I was sick over that, wanted him to sign so much. Still to date he was the transfer that got me the most excited. Loved him.

Got to say, I really didn't like Messi at the end of the game, he behaved like a bit of a brat, Neuer offered him a hand shke which he gave very little acceptance to.