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Though Chelsea and Everton both enjoyed a successful summer transfer window, rumours already suggest that David Moyes is about to add a free transfer to his squad in the coming weeks, while the west Londoners are possibly eyeing up a January swoop. The Toffees have been linked with free agent Thomas Hitzlsperger, while Roberto Di Matteo is said to be keen on Barcelona starlet Gerard Deulofeu [pictured]. Here, the Life’s a Pitch team assess just how likely these rumours are to happen.

“I wouldn’t have thought [Chelsea would get him] for that little,” explains The Times’ Rory Smith of 18-year-old Deulofeu’s reported £8m price tag. ”Deulofeu is one of three really highly rated lads at the Barca academy along with Jean-Marie Dongou, the Cameroonian; and Sergi Samper, who played against Spurs in the NextGen series the other day. I’d be surprised if Barcelona were prepared to sell Deulofeu at this stage, but there is a possibility, with a player in his position, that he might feel he has to leave to get first-team football. Whether it’s for Chelsea, given what’s happened to [out of favour ex-Barca player] Oriol Romeu, I’d be uncertain, so I’d give that one a four out of 10.”

But while this transfer looks a long shot, the panel feels Everton are likely to conclude a quick deal. First up, the People’s Dave Kidd explains why a move for former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder Hitzlsperger makes sense.

“I would have thought that, as a free agent, Hitzlsperger is the sort of player that a lot Premier League clubs would be interested in because he’s had decent spells at Aston Villa and West Ham. I know there have been injuries along the way, but if you can pick him up on a free on slightly less wages than he may have otherwise have been on… [it's a no-brainer]. I think Everton have got a pretty settled squad, [but] there is a lack of depth there. They did pretty well in the transfer window, but they still lost Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill. So, I can see that being something like an eight [out of 10].”

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above. 

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