Just read the Blueview chatsite and they largely don't want Dunc back, in THEIR words because of the way they played when they had him: "Wimbledonesque" whereas they now play attractive, passing football (again, their words: not mine). This is from their editorial page:

There are strong rumours this evening that the former Goodison talisman Duncan Ferguson is on his way back to Everton after a year and three quarters on Tyneside with Newcastle United. In what is seen by many as a retrograde step by vice-chairman Bill Kenwright, the towering Scottish forward is hotly tipped to be an Everton player again before the start of the new season in a month's time. Speculation has been building that Everton have been eyeing a bid for the player who was idolised at Goodison during the struggles of the 1990s but whose aerial presence often served as a hinderance to flowing football and the team's overall development. Since Ferguson's controversial departure in February 1998 when he was sold from underneath the feet of Walter Smith by then chairman Peter Johnson, Everton have come on leaps and bounds, playing quick, attractive football more akin to Evertonian tradition than the long ball tedium at dominated the Duncan era. There are as yet no details of a fee but rumours suggest Everton could get their man for as little as #3.5m. A bigger problem surrounds Ferguson's wages, reputedly as high as #40,000 at Newcastle, a figure that would shatter the Blues' wage structure and make his transfer virtually impossible. However, without doubt the biggest issue surrounds Ferguson's fitness. The 28 year-old has been plagued by groin injury problems throughout his career and at one point his professional future looked doomed. A resurgence last season for the Magpies has only partially allayed those fears and it remains to be seen whether "Big Dunc" can see through what should be the peak of his career.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2000

Answers

I know his wages are high, but there is no way we are going to be able to recoup much of the #8m on him. Its got to be more economical to keep him. He was awesome at times last season. That being said he is probably our worst ever buy.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2000

Phew! Thought I was in trouble there for a minute.....

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2000

Dunx,

You're making the name your own mate.....I saw the thread and immediately thought it was about you :))))

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2000