Stay at home and play for Everton

Granted, Fletcher, if indeed there's any truth to the stories that David Moyes is ready to offer £4million for him, isn't the most exotic player we've been linked with this summer, but it's not difficult to see why the Everton manager might like the look of him.

For a start, any player who leaves Old Trafford for Goodison while the Red Devils are at the top of the game and Everton are some way off winning regular silverware is coming because they want to play regular first-team football.

That's why Tim Howard and Phil Neville moved down the East Lancs and Moyes has obviously been impressed with the desire and the professionalism that both have brought to Merseyside. It's far from inconceivable then that he envisages Fletcher adding more of the same.

Andy Johnson has always shown a first-class attitude as well but it's looking increasingly likely that Moyes is willing to sacrifice the club's second most expensive signing in order to raise more funds and help to reshape the side.

Johnson struggled last season due largely to injuries but also because of the change in team pattern that came about once Ayegbeni Yakubu was purchased from Middlesbrough.

All of a sudden Johnson was no longer the focal point of side and his role started to become unclear.

As a lone striker, making endless runs behind the opponents' defence, the ex-Crystal Palace man thrived in his first season.

However, once Yakubu appeared on the scene it wasn't too long before his coolness in front of goal and all-round ability made him first name on the teamsheet.

That meant Johnson dropped to the bench or played alongside the Nigerian; a position that he never looked very comfortable with.

Indeed, when Tim Cahill's fit he looks more the sort of partner who will get the best out of Yakubu.

Or maybe it's going to be Diego Milito from Real Zaragoza, the latest fancy striker linked to us.

While Duncan Ferguson-style centre- forwards are more or less a thing of the past now at the top level, someone who can hold the ball up a bit and is half-decent in the air would seem a more natural foil for Yakubu than the pacy and persistent Johnson, and if not Milito then a player like that could well fit the bill.

If Johnson is to leave after a relatively short Everton career then hopefully a deal can be worked out somewhere that proves beneficial to both him and to Everton.

With all due respect to the good folk of Wigan and Sunderland though, you would have thought he could do a bit better than the JJB or the Stadium of Light, the two places he is being most strongly connected with.

So, with no new signing yet, the government continuing to dither over a decision concerning calling in the Destination Kirkby project, delayed kit releases and what looks like a pretty lengthy injury list before pre-season gets under way in earnest, we really could do with a bit of positive news for a change.

The release of Joseph Yobo's brother over in Nigeria wouldn't be bad for starters.