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Reported in Daily Post and Daily Express

Everton table £10m for Porto’s Gonzalez
Aug 4 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON have made a £10million offer for Porto midfielder Luis Gonzalez – as James Beattie last night agreed to join Sheffield United.

Gonzalez, 26, is skipper of the Portuguese side and was part of the Argentina side at last year’s World Cup and the recent Copa America.

Porto sources at last night’s Port of Rotterdam Tournament confirmed Everton’s interest in the player.

David Moyes is prepared to splash out a major chunk of his transfer funds to make Gonzalez his major signing of the summer after the earlier capture of Phil Jagielka.

Gonzalez, known as ‘Lucho’, can play as a central midfielder or as an attacking right winger.

He began his career with Huracan in his homeland before moving on to River Plate in 2002, where his performances earned a move to Portugal three years later.

Funds for the bid will be raised by the sale of Beattie, who has decided to leave in a £4million transfer to Sheffield United.

The striker will bring an end to a frustrating Goodison career after agreeing terms with the Coca-Cola Championship side.

Everton accepted a bid from the Bramall Lane side last Friday with Blades manager Bryan Robson having held talks with the player earlier this week.

Beattie was keen to remain in the Premier League, with former club Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City having previously shown an interest.

But the 29-year-old has been persuaded to drop down a division after accepting his future lies away from Goodison.

Beattie was Everton’s then record signing when arriving for £6million from Southampton in January 2005.

But the forward netted just 15 goals in 86 appearances, and hasn’t scored from open play since March 2006.

Goodison manager Moyes is stepping up his squad rebuilding and remains hopeful of bolstering his squad’s numbers with the capture of Leighton Baines.

But Newcastle United are threatening to scupper Everton’s transfer plans for the second time this week by making a move for the Wigan Athletic left-back.

The Magpies are understood to have revived their interest in the England under-21 international and could be poised to out-bid Everton for the player. Everton and Wigan have been thrashing out a deal worth around £5m for the 22-year-old over the past few days.

But Magpies manager Sam Allardyce, who has signed one-time Goodison target Alan Smith, is set to make an increased offer for Baines. Baines is still said to favour a move to Everton but is believed to have told his close associates he is willing to uproot from the North West should an opportunity arise.

Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar will have to wait until the opening day of the Premier League season for his first taste of action in an Everton shirt. The South African international, signed on a season-long loan from Borussia Dortmund, had been slated to appear in today’s friendly at Crystal Palace (kick-off 3pm). However, he has not yet received his visa and is therefore ineligible for the trip.

Although Everton anticipate no complications and the matter to be concluded early next week, it means Pienaar will not have been able to play alongside his new team-mates ahead of the Premier League opener at home to Wigan Athletic next Saturday.

Apparently his Agent has been on the radio saying a deal is immenent. Howecer I'll believe it when I see it. Another ridiculous bid for a player we're never going to get in my opinion.