Unlikely Barcelona rumour surfaces as Everton bag another young centre-back

Everton have been pleasantly active in this transfer window and have managed to bring in five first-team players despite all the distractions and financial pressures the club is under.

Midfielder Tim Iroegbunam was signed, forwards Jack Harrison returning and Jesper Lindstrom both arrived on loan, and the Toffees have also added Iliman Ndiaye permanently and centre-back Jake O'Brien too.

Several players left the club as well with Lewis Dobbin, Ben Godfrey and Amado Onana all departing Merseyside.

All that business has not stopped constant further rumours of more players joining with almost daily reports of this forward or that being an alleged target.

The latest rather improbable story has emerged regarding Barcelona striker Vitor Roque.

The out-of-favour forward has found it tough to settle into life at the Camp Nou and could well be moving on this summer.

Barca, are like Everton struggling with financial problems and short of cash needing to sell before they can make many moves in the transfer market.

He is now being linked with a move to Merseyside, something that appears to have surely virtually no chance of becoming reality. Still, surprises are always possible in football.

But, there does not appear to be much solid foundation to any of these stories and it seems less and less likely that any more major signings will come through the doors at Finch Farm, unless there are further sales before then.

That is because the club's ownership problems just will not go away with no end in sight to the saga as supporters wait in vain for a new owner. Some may even be starting to think if this situation can be ever be resolved.

None the less, Everton are still ready to make moves when they are affordable and part of the club's wider strategy for strengthening the long-term future of the team.

So today, the Blues have announced another teenage starlet has joined the club with central defender William Tamen arriving from Burton.

I have written before that even if the Toffees hold onto Jarrad Branthwaite, they may still need another defender to give greater depth to the squad in that pivitol position.

Tamen is not that player though and will go straight into the youth set-up playing under Paul Tait in the Under-21s. He may eventually come through to the senior ranks, we shall see.