Johannesburg - Everton announced on Monday they would be out to sign
Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar on a more permanent basis as a
matter of priority.
This was revealed by Everton manager David
Moyes soon after Everton completed a successful English Premier League
(EPL) campaign by beating Newcastle United 3-1 on Sunday, finishing
ahead of Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the log table.
Pienaar is
currently on loan to the Toffees from Tottenham Hotspur, and scored one
of the three goals against Newcastle on the last day of the season.
Moyes
outlined the club's plans for the 2012/13 season and said that the
first order of business would be to secure the transfer of Pienaar from
Tottenham Hotspur.
"We now have a potent goal-scoring striker in Nikica Jelavic, around whom the team will be built next season," he said.
"If anything, we need another inventive player in midfield to link up with Pienaar and provide the service Jelavic will require.
"Losing Steven, in the circumstances, would hardly fit in with our planning."
The
Bafana captain transferred to Spurs from Everton 18 months ago, but had
an unsuccessful stint with the North London club and spent a
frustrating first half of the season playing from the bench.
Unhappy
with the situation and seeking playing time, Pienaar's management
persuaded Spurs to allow him to return to Everton on loan for the
remainder of the season, resulting in a return to form for the South
African.
However, while Everton have confirmed their desire to
sign Pienaar on a more permanent basis, Spurs are yet to negotiate a
transfer fee.
Spurs paid Everton R30 million for Pienaar and with
the South African captain on a three-year contract with the London
outfit, it is expected that a similar amount will be required to secure
the player's return.
- SAPA