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BLUES GO FOR £8M BYSTROV
By Dominic King
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Vladimir Bystrov Photo uefa.com
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EVERTON are closing in on an £8million deal to sign
Spartak Moscow's flying right winger Vladimir Bystrov - as David Moyes
stepped up his efforts to bolster the defence.
Moyes has endured a frustrating summer in the transfer market but he is
at last making headway and Bystrov should be the first of a number of
new faces arriving.
Capped 24 times by Russia, Bystrov is regarded as one of the quickest
players in Europe and his imminent arrival will give Everton's attack
an exciting, new dimension.
Talks are at advanced stage with Spartak and Everton officials are confident
terms will be concluded for the 25-year-old to be signed by the time they
face Burnley on Sunday.
Once that business is done, Moyes will switch his attentions to bring
in two central defenders, as Joleon Lescott's future at Goodison hangs
in the balance.
Lescott has been axed from the squad that will play SK Sigma Olomouc tonight
in the first leg of the Europa League play-off and faces an enormous task
to reverse his fortunes.
The England international has dismayed senior members of the squad with
his attitude in training since Everton were beaten by 6-1 by Arsenal and
Moyes has had to take action.
He ordered Lescott to train on his own at Finch Farm yesterday and it
now looks increasingly likely he will end up at Manchester City before
the window closes.
A number of options have been discussed but Moyes is evidently starting
to make plans for life after Lescott - even if he didn't go as far as
saying the 27-year-old has played his last game for the club.
"Normally Joleon is a very good trainer and very focused but he doesn't
seem to be that at this present time," said Moyes.
"It doesn't mean the end of his Everton career. He might be in the first
team squad for this weekend if I see there is a change in his attitude.
"Personally the biggest disappointment is that Joleon is a very good boy
behind it all and the people who have been advising him are giving him
poor information.
"They have turned a good lad into something else. I can see by the reaction
of his team-mates that they are disappointed in him as well.
"I will have another centre half soon - at least one - and Joleon will
have a decision to make. Until his attitude changes, he won't be included.
"It is not inevitable that he is leaving now. All I have done is make
a decision for this game that may or may not be the right decision.
"But Saturday's performance against Arsenal made me realise that I had
to do something. I couldn't let it drift."
Either Jack Rodwell or, more likely, Phil Neville will take Lescott's
place in the middle of Everton's defence and Moyes has made it clear he
is demanding an improved effort.
Liverpoolecho.co.uk,
Aug 20 2009
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