Silly Season in full swing

The 'silly season' that is the transfer window has most definitely kicked in now as we find ourselves linked with all sorts of players. No doubt come August we will not have signed any of them, with Moyes instead choosing to sign a teenager who's done moderately well in the second division of some obscure Eastern European nation.

We can still get our hopes up though and each time the 'breaking news' ticker comes along onto the Sky Sports News screen, we'll perk up in anticipation that the impending line will mention us in some capacity.

Although, if you hear the name of Juan Roman Riquelme in the same sentence as Everton, it's pretty safe to say that it's not going to happen.

One piece of business has already been confirmed though, with 22-year-old striker James Vaughan moving to Norwich City for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £2.5 million. The youngster, who had been at Everton since the age of 6, has had terrible luck with injuries during his time at Goodison. It always seemed that just as he started to show his talent, he suffered an injury setback. I remember the injury he picked up against Bolton in 2007, just after hitting a fine run of form.

He does, however, has time very much on his side, and has a great opportunity to play Premier League football with newly-promoted Norwich. On Norwich's official website, Vaughan said:

"Of course it was hard to leave Everton, I've been there since I was six and have always been there but now it was time for me to move on and try and get some games elsewhere and I'm pleased that I've signed for Norwich."

And on his Twitter page, Vaughan added:

"I would like 2 thank every1 at everton for all they have done 4 me over the years! I will always love the club and the people there!

I'm sure I speak on behalf of all Blues when I wish Vaughany the best of luck at Norwich - I just hope he doesn't net against us. He's better off saving them for the red sh*te.

As for rumours I don't really want to comment as I prefer to wait until it's confirmed by the club, but various sources say that we are interested in, amongst others, Jay Bothroyd, Joey Barton and Miroslav Klose. Make of that what you will, but I'll reserve my judgement until they hold up the royal blue shirt outside Finch Farm.

News round-up; Vaughan, Mustafi and Lundstram

A few snippets of new for you all this afternoon, starting with some developments on the James Vaughan front. Yesterday I brought you the story that James Vaughan was a target for newly-promoted Norwich City, with the fee was rumoured to be in the region of £750,000. Today, however, the muted price has more than tripled, with Sky Sports reporting that Paul Lambert is prepared to offer £2.5 million. Norwich chairman Steve Parish said "it is going to be difficult for us to compete with top-flight clubs", and it looks as if the injury-prone youngster is on his way to Carrow Road.

Next, ToffeeTalk revealed on their Twitter page that young defender Shkodran Mustafi has been called up to the Germany U-19 squad to face Hungary in a European Championship Qualifying game. He seems an exciting prospect for club and country and he's at the best place to have a positive career.

Finally, I would like to share an article from FourFourTwo about teenage midfielder John Lundstram. The Talent Spotter has penned an article describing Lundstram as 'powerful, aggressive and all-action', with an 'impressive range of passing'. Take a look, and keep an eye on Lundstram - another exciting prospect from the academy conveyor belt.

Vaughany off to Norwich?

A piece of transfer news this evening, regarding 22-year-old James Vaughan. Everton website GrandOldTeam have published a story linking the youngster with a move to newly-promoted Norwich City.

Vaughan netted nine goals when on loan this season at Crystal Palace, and a move to Carrow Road may provide the opportunity for the injury-prone youngster to play regular Premier League football.

In 2005 Vaughan became the Premier League's youngest ever scorer, notching after entering the fray as a substitute in the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace. Another highlight of his Everton career came when he scored a penalty against Man United in the 2009 FA Cup semi-final.

Unfortunately his progress has been pegged back by a series of knee injuries, although he did manage to make it into the 40-man provisional England squad for the upcoming U-21 European Championships.

Now Norwich manager Paul Lambert is said to be keen to strengthen his squad for the top-flight season ahead, and sees Vaughan as a realistic target at £750,000. Vaughan has had setbacks but, at 22, he has time on his side.

I hope he has a bright career, preferably at Everton, although I almost certainly see him moving on.

Everton trio receive International Call-ups

The Everton trio of Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka have all been selected to represent England this Summer.

U-21 midfielder Rodwell has been named in the England squad that will take part in the European Championships in Denmark this Summer. Boss Stuart Pearce trimmed his 40-man provisional squad to a 23-man squad that will travel to Denmark. Rodwell made the cut but James Vaughan, who spent the season on loan at Crystal Palace, did not.

The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers:
Frankie Fielding (Derby County), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough), Alex McCarthy (Reading)

Defenders:
Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders:
Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers),Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Sinclair (Swansea City)

Forwards:
Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Connor Wickham (Ipswich Town)

England will take on Norway in a warm-up fixture at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium on 5th June, prior to their first match in the tournament on 12th June, against Spain. Then they face Ukraine on the 5th June, and then Czech Republic on 19th June. The top two teams in the group qualify for the semi-finals.

David Moyes said "It could have an impact on us next season in that Jack could be tired from playing during the Summer.

"But this tournament is what he need and I'm looking forward to him making a big impact in Denmark.

"I think it will be good for Jack and I'm all for him going to the tournament.

Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines have received senior call-ups. England, who lie top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group, have arranged a friendly against Switzerland at Wembley on 4th June and a subsequent friendly against John Heitinga's Holland on 10th June.

The England squad in full is:

Goalkeepers:

Scott Carson (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City), David Stockdale (Fulham)

Defenders:

Leighton Baines (Everton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea, Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders:

Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Scott Parker (West Ham United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Forwards:

Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur, Bobby Zamora (Fulham).

Good luck to Bainesy, Jags and Rodders - although I hope Rodwell doesn't play too well - just remember what happened after Euro 2004 with a lad named Wayne.

Welsh U-21 International released in end of season cull

Welsh youngster Nathan Craig has today been released by Everton, ending a nine-year spell at the club. Despite becoming a regular for the reserve side over the last two years, Craig has only one senior appearance to his name, coming on as a substitute against BATE Borisov in the Europa League.

In an interview with the Caernarfon Herald, Craig said: "I'm obviously sad that I never quite made it into the first team, but I don't have any regrets.

"I did everything in my power to ensure that I would succeed at Everton, both on and off the pitch, I don't drink, I eat healthily, and keep very fit, but unfortunately it didn't quite work out at Everton.

"I'd obviously be happier if they would have released me after I'd made my Premier League debut, but at the end of the day that's football. One door closes and another one opens, and I hope I get a new club soon.

"I'll never give up on football, and I've already told my agent to start looking for new opportunities for me. A few have already approached him to say they would be interested in me going for pre-season training, but I can't tell you who at the moment.

"I'm just hoping to get a club where I can get regular first team football, week in and week out, as I think that is the most important thing for a young player like me.

"From the first day (at Everton) everyone was great, I made friends with coaches and players and it was easy to get to know the first team players as I lived with James Vaughan, Dan Gosling and Victor Anichebe.

"I've trained with players of the calibre of Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill so it's been a great experience for me. Once we were training with the first-team, and I had the ball out on the wing. Phil (Neville) came charging to try and tackle me, but I just nutmegged him and everyone laughed! Now he always points me out and says, you're the one who embarrassed me!

Remaining positive, the youngster added: "Onwards and upwards. I'd like to thank my parents for supporting me in every way for all of those years. Without them and the rest of my family I wouldn't be where I am today.

"I'd also like to thank everyone else who has shown their support, I really appreciate it, from the people at Ysgol yr Hendre and Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen (Craig's old schools), to everyone else in Caernarfon, and finally everyone who speaks to me on Facebook and Twitter. Keep the messages coming!"

He seems like a decent, positive and mature lad, and I, like all blues, wish him the best of luck in his career.

Loan Watch

Within no fewer than eight of our squad scattered around the continent on various loan deals, I thought I would check on their progress at the temporary clubs.

Joseph Yobo moved to Turkish giants Fenerbahce in August 2010 on a season-long loan deal. He made his debut in the Turkish Super Lig in a 2-0 defeat, a game in which he had to go off injured. However, he has recovered to play in 21 of the 28 games so far this season, in the process helping his adopted side to the summit of the league. The most recent fixture (9th April) was a 3-1 away win at Eskisehirspor and Joey played the full 90 minutes.

Joseph Yobo has become a key player for Fenerbahce

Iain Turner signed for Preston North End in February 2011, on a 93-day emergency loan. He has replaced Andy Lonergan as PNE's number one, and his arrival has coincided with some good Preston form, demonstrated in consecutive wins against Scunthorpe, Coventry and Swansea. However, the form seems to have come a little too late in the season and Phil Brown's team are languishing 23rd in the Championship, with only six games left to try and avoid relegation. He was in goal for the most recent fixture (9th April), a 1-1 away draw at Portsmouth.

Iain Turner's Preston are relegation favourites

James Vaughan joined Crystal Palace in January, the latest move in a series of loan spells (Derby, Leicester and a previous spell at Palace). In all he has scored nine goals for the Eagles, including a hat-trick vs Portsmouth, and has become a key player in a team fighting to beat relegation. He scored the winning penalty in the club's last win, vs Barnsley, but couldn't help as Palace slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich (9th April).

Vaughan scores 1/3 of his hat-trick against Pompey

Yakubu was also shipped out to a Championship club in January, heading to Filbert Street to play for Leicester City. He has made thirteen appearances for the Foxes, scoring seven goals which included a recent hat-trick against old club Middlesbrough. He is a 'Wolves player' in my opinion: too good for the Championship but not good enough/ too lazy for the Premier League. Managed by Sven, Leicester have drafted in a host of marquee loanees and lie ninth in the table, five points off the play-offs. This weekend they recorded a 4-0 win over Burnley with Yak playing the whole match.

The Yak scored on his debut vs Preston

Joao Silva, signed in June 2009, was sent back to the Portuguese first division for some regular games. He joined a side called U.D. Leiria. Joao scored in his club's last match against Maritimo, but couldn't prevent a 1-3 defeat. He is likely to figure in their next match away to Setubal (10th April, 16:00). U.D are currently 10th in the 16-team Portuguese league.

Joao looks the part in an U.D. Leiria shirt

Shane Duffy joined Burnley at the end of March on a 28-day loan. He played 90 minutes against Ipswich, a game which Burnley lost 2-1, but has not played since. Burnley have slipped in recent weeks, and now lie 11th in the Championship table.

Shane has only made one appearance for the clarets

Kieran Agard joined Kilmarnock on January deadline day in a loan deal that went almost unacknowledged. He has indeed only made two substitute appearances for Kilmarnock and hasn't even featured on the bench for the last two games.

Agard has gone from bench warmer at Everton to bench-warmer at Killie

James Wallace joined League 2 strugglers Stockport County in February and made an immediate impact, scoring a wondergoal on his debut, although his side lost 1-4. He has played nine times for Stockport who unfortunately are rock bottom of League Two and look likely to be playing the likes of Newport County and Kettering Town in the Blue Square Premier next year.

Wallace has been a shining light in Stockport's woeful campaign