Moyes to bid for Smith

[Evertonscouser]

Source: The People

EXCLUSIVE: MOYES BID FOR SMITH
By Steve Bates
ALAN SMITH is at the centre of a tug-of-war between FOUR Premiership clubs - with Everton boss David Moyes making the first move to land the Manchester United star.

Moyes, who has raided Old Trafford for Phil Neville and Tim Howard in recent seasons, made a personal check on Smith 10 days ago and was impressed to see the striker score for England B against Albania.

The Everton boss had hoped to make a comparison between Smith and David Nugent then, but the Preston star failed to make the pitch and was subsequently left out of Steve McClaren's squad for Friday's game with Brazil and Wednesday's crucial Euro qualifier in Estonia.

Moyes believes £8millionrated Smith would make a big impact with Goodison Park fans and form a potent partnership with Andy Johnson - but he knows he has a big job to persuade Sir AlexFerguson to part with the 26-year-old former Leeds player.

Ferguson understands Moyes would snap up Smith given the slightest sign he is available and is expecting an Everton bid this week.

But until United's own position regarding a new striker is clearer, Fergie will not let the gritty Yorkshireman go.


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Despite signing 19-year-old Brazilian forward Anderson from FC Porto for £17.5m last week, Fergie believes he may need one more proven goalscorer, with Louis Saha often injury-prone and unavailable. Smith is also reluctant to leave Old Trafford - a fact underlined by his refusal to go on loan while recovering from the horrific leg break he suffered last year.


But that will not deter Moyes - or Tottenham, Middlesbrough and Sunderland, who are also showing interest in the United attacker.

He'd be a waste of money for 8million in my opinion.

[kennethlindheim]

Smith is worth £4-5m.

[NJ10]

£8m is way too much, he doesnt score or create enough goals for that much money.

[kyan]

Smith won't be leaving, he probably isn't worth that much but he's loved by United fans, and some of the prices players are being bought for over the last couple of seasons....

But Everton would be better off putting that money to something like signing Manuel Fernandes.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Alan Smith is a typical Everton player.Best defensive striker in the world?He tackles player like he was playing in defense.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

By the way...£8m is way to much for his "skills".Man U should sell him though.He won't get many appearances next season either.

[Evertonscouser]

Originally Posted by kyan

But Everton would be better off putting that money to something like signing Manuel Fernandes.

Exactly. He really should be priority number one.

We aren't in desparate need of a striker. Even with Beattie going we still have 4 premiership class strikers, I suppose with two of them being under 21 an extra may be needed but it shouldn't be eating so far into the tranfser budget as Smith would. Saying that if Smith comes I wouldn't be too disappointed.

[alansmithy14]

i hope smithy dosent move mainly because hes a player that takes no s***, from nobody!!

[Evertonscouser]

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Middlesbrough are believed to have made enquiries for Alan Smith and James Beattie.

The Teesside club are looking for striking reinforcements with Mark Viduka gone and Yakubu Aiyegbeni likely to depart.

Boro are ready to deal on Yakubu, with Portsmouth, Aston Villa and West Ham all looking likely mount bids. Portsmouth are already known to have tested Boro's resolve, but a swap deal involving Gary O'Neil has not as yet been agreed - indeed Sean Davis could yet be included instead of, or as well as, his midfield colleague.

With that the North East club are looking elsewhere and are understood to have made a bid for an 'England international', and that player is reported to be Smith.

It is not yet known whether Smith will be leaving Manchester United, but the former Leeds man seems unlikely to be offered a new deal and he has admitted that he will consider his options.

Middlesbrough are just one club thought to have shown an interest with Sunderland, Everton, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Rangers also linked.
Beattie is another said to be under consideration from Boro boss Gareth Southgate and it is reported he has asked counterpart David Moyes about his availability.
From this, it is claimed Everton have responded with an enquiry of their own - asking about Boro's Stewart Downing.

Everton are keen to bolster their left-sided options and obviously feel that the long-term Spurs target could be attracted to Merseyside.

However, with Viduka gone and Yakubu likely to follow - it seems unlikely at this stage that Boro would contemplate allowing Downing to leave.

Don't want Downing to be honest, especially at the £10million touted price, worth half tyhat in my opinion.

Would be a great piece of business selling Beattie and buying Smith as it looks like were not in for Nugent. A strikeforce of AJ,Vaughan,Smith,McFadden and Anichebe would be good for us in my opinion, as each one adds another dimesnion to the team with their different strengths.

[hanuma]

He's useful up front, not terrible in midfield or out wide. 8 million is over the odds, but an improvement on Beattie.

[Evertonscouser]

Originally Posted by hanuma

He's useful up front, not terrible in midfield or out wide. 8 million is over the odds, but an improvement on Beattie.

It was reported in the News of the World that we could be getting him for £2.5-3million. Which would be a great signing. Anything above £5million however I wouldn't be happy with as we could get better. Even if we do sign him he won't be in the first team I doubt. As AJ and Vaughan were btrilliant together at the end of last season.