Daily Archives: Monday, July 26, 2010

Everton are determined to hang on to defender Phil Jagielka after it was reported that Arsenal are about to bid for the defender. The Gunners were recently believed to have had a bid of £14m turned down, and Everton Hospitality Packages website claims that they are ready to return to Goodison Park with an improved offer for the former Sheffield United man.

The north London club recently signed defender Laurent Koscielny, but the non-committal nature of Sol Campbell coupled with the departures of William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre are believed to have left manager Arsene Wenger in the hunt to sign another defender.

Everton boss David Moyes is thought to be keen to hold on to the player, but it has been speculated that the lure of Champions League football could prove difficult to resist for Jagielka.

Mikel Arteta has said that he is more than happy to stay in Merseyside with Everton amid interest from Sevilla and Arsenal. The 28-year-old has repeatedly been tipped to return to La Liga and reports suggest that Sevilla have put Arteta at the top of their list of transfer targets this sumemr and are ready with a £12 million offer.

Arsenal are also said to be interested in the player, and will be even more keen if Cesc Fabregas leaves for Barcelona.

And if Arteta is given the green light to leave Everton then Manchester City are also said to have an interest in the player.

But Arteta’s agent Inaki Ibanez cast doubt on the prospect of the midfielder leaving Goodison Park this summer.

Ibanez told the Spanish press: “Everton are asking for a lot of money, so it is difficult for Mikel to exit the club.”