Source: Daily_Mail
Mikel Arteta's new deal pushing Steven Pienaar towards Everton exit
Wanted man: Steven Pienaar has attracted interest from a host of top Premier League clubs[LNB]Mikel Arteta's new five-year contact at Everton raises questions over Steven Pienaar's future at Goodison Park, an advisor to the South African has said. [LNB]The midfield playmakers have both been linked with moves away from Everton this summer but Arteta penned the new long-term deal last week, committing him to the club until 2015.[LNB] Pienaar, however, has now entered the final year of his contract with the Toffees but is not close to extending his stay. The skilful Bafana Bafana star has attracted interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, City, Arsenal and Tottenham and would be free to negotiate in January a free transfer away from Everton when his deal expires next summer.[LNB]And Pienaar's representative even went so far as to question whether Everton actually wanted to keep his client at the club due to the lack of commitment shown in tieing up Pienaar's future compared with the efforts made to secure Arteta. [LNB] 'It is great news for the club that they have secured Arteta for the next five years, and it shows that they are able to move quickly when they want to,' Pienaar's business manager Rob Moore told KickOff.com.[LNB] [LNB]Going nowhere: Everton star Mikel Arteta (right)[LNB]'But in the case of Pienaar it is surprising that he is the player with the least amount of time remaining on his contract, yet the last to be tied up with a new deal. [LNB]'You have to ask yourself, "Does this mean Everton actually want to sell him"? [LNB]'But there is nothing we can do about it. Obviously if he does not sign a new deal before the end of the transfer window on August 31 then the chances of him doing so are greatly reduced because he will be in the last year of his current deal and able to start negotiating with other clubs in January. He would be a very attractive proposition for them on a free at the end of the season.[LNB] 'But the player has never said that he wants to leave and he is not the kind of person who goes knocking on the manager's door halfway through a contract demanding more money and revised terms. That is why it is frustrating that it is taking so long to sort it out now.' [LNB] Moyes backs Arteta to shine now he's committed to EvertonSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsWest Ham step up bid to sign £8m Everton striker Yakubu Everton won't sell unless David Moyes wants money for new recruits[LNB]
