Re: AN EVERTON VIEW
BLUE WATCH: Negative spin on transfer stories is annoying
Apr 10 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
AGAINST a backdrop of lost matches and an increasingly vulnerable looking league position, Everton now seem to be contending with an increasing number of negative transfer stories too.
First there was the quote from Mikel Arteta’s agent, complaining about the way his client has been overlooked by the Spanish national side, although ever since he arrived, Arteta to Atletico Madrid stories seem to mark the spring almost like the first daffodils. The latest less than encouraging headlines concern the revelation that the clock is apparently ticking on any deal to make Steven Pienaar’s move to Merseyside permanent.
Now, although David Moyes has throughout the season played down the urgency of talks with the South African’s people, it is probably safe to assume that behind the scenes there has been plenty of communication. Despite the belief in some quarters that everyone at Everton is utterly incompetent, it seems unlikely that Pienaar’s recent interview will have been the first that the club have heard about this whole April 30 deadline, beyond which Borussia Dortmund can demand a higher fee than £2.2million.
What does seem likely though is that the player and his agent know full well that after a good first season in English football that transfer fee represents excellent value for money. There’s no such thing as a free lunch though, and with rumours of other Premier League clubs interested – as they surely must be – then it’s probably safe to say that Pienaar can see himself in a great position to secure somewhat inflated personal terms.
Top whack, if you like.
As with any transfer deal then, the whole thing rests upon whether Moyes and the powers that be at Everton think the whole package – the transfer fee, signing fee and salary – represents a good deal for the football club. If it doesn’t then Pienaar will go to someone who thinks it does. The fact that he has played well while on loan is largely irrelevant other than it means that we obviously want him while he also says that he’s enjoyed this season and prefers to come Goodison.
“At the right price,” is the crucial bit that both parties are failing to say in public though.
An interesting part of the interview that sparked the spate of Pienaar stories was his insistence on how hard he was worked and how well he played for Everton. It’s all true, without a doubt, as a player who struggled to make any impact in German football has been crucial in helping Everton do so well at home and in Europe. English football is often hard for foreign recruits to adjust to, because of the unique physical demands, and it’s testament to Pienaar’s determination that he has been so successful, especially as initially he looked as if his slight frame would hold him back.
However, on the back of the favourable impression he’s made on those at Everton and elsewhere, it’s now apparent, as discussed, that he thinks he deserves greater rewards than those offered by ourselves when he was looking for a chance to resurrect his career after it had gone so stale in Dortmund. Which is all fair enough, almost anyone would do the same in his position.
It just raises the question though: if that’s how the system works, is there any suggestion of Thomas Gravesen and Manuel Fernandes’ agents actually offering to give Everton some money back?
. just a post to say hello. COYB
