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Everton edge closer to signing Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
and Ever Banega
Andy Hunter
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Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (front) was given a
glowing reference by Russia's manager Guus Hiddink. Photograph:
Yuri Kochetkov/EPA
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Everton hope to put the Joleon Lescott saga behind them
in the next 48 hours with the double signing of the Russia winger Diniyar
Bilyaletdinov and Valencia's combative midfielder Ever Banega.
David Moyes is trying to make four additions to his squad before next
week's transfer deadline and hopes to start with the purchase of Bilyaletdinov
for about £10m. The Lokomotiv Moscow left-winger will undergo a
medical and discuss personal terms with Everton officials tomorrow and
could become the club's first long-term addition to the first-team squad
of the summer by Wednesday.
Negotiations between the 24-year-old and Everton will take place in Hamburg,
as Bilyaletdinov does not have a visa to enter the UK but does hold a
German passport. A work permit is unlikely to be a problem because the
winger is an established Russia international with 28 caps.
Moyes has received a glowing reference on Bilyaletdinov from Guus Hiddink,
the Russia coach and Chelsea's former temporary manager, and tried to
bring him to Goodison Park a year ago. The Everton manager also hopes
to add Banega to his threadbare squad in the next 48 hours, despite confusion
over the Argentinian's proposed move from Valencia.
The Spanish club claimed at the weekend that no deal was in place for
the 21-year-old to join Everton on a season-long loan. Goodison officials,
however, who secured a work permit for Banega on Friday, have insisted
negotiations are continuing and that the player could arrive on Merseyside
to complete the deal this week. Neither player would be eligible for Everton's
Europa League qualifier at Sigma Olomouc on Thursday. The registration
date has passed and Banega featured in the competition for Valencia last
week but both could make their debuts against Wigan Athletic on Sunday
if signed in time.
Moyes is also working through a list of possible replacements for Lescott
and, having accepted a fee of £22m rising to £24m from Manchester
City for the England international, wants two defensive reinforcements.
Bolton's Gary Cahill, Middlesbrough's David Wheater, Ryan Shawcross of
Stoke City and Newcastle United's Steven Taylor are among those under
consideration.
Lescott underwent a medical at a private clinic this afternoon, with City
keen for assurances over the knee injury that delayed his move from Wolverhampton
Wanderers to Everton before concluding a deal that will double the 27-year-old's
Goodison salary of £47,000 a week. Wolves will receive a £2.55m
windfall from the deal as they are entitled to 15% of any profit made
by Everton on the £5m transfer that took Lescott to Merseyside in
2006.
City, meanwhile, have signed the former Arsenal and Barcelona left-back
Sylvinho on a 12-month contract.
Guardian.co.uk,
24 August 2009
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