Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton eyeing Sylvain Distin following Diniyar Bilyaletdinov signing
EVERTON today officially announced the signing of Diniyar Bilayeltdinov – and are now trying to make Sylvain Distin their second addition in 24 hours.
Bilyaletdinov put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal last night after passing a medical in Hamburg and his near £9m transfer from Lokomotiv Moscow makes him the third most expensive signing in Everton’s history.
The reason for the meeting in Hamburg between club officials and Bilyaletdinov’s representatives was due to the fact he is allowed to enter Germany on a Russian passport without a visa.
Capped 28 times by Russia, the 24-year-old will not be available for Premier League duty until the game against Fulham on September 13 after the international break.
"I spoke to David Moyes yesterday and he told me he is looking forward to working with me - and I am looking forward to working with him," Bilyaletdinov said today.
"It is a dream for me to be able to play in the Premier League. I know Everton is a big club and I cannot wait to get started and meet my new team-mates."
With Bilyaletdinov’s signature secured and Valencia’s Argentina midfielder Ever Banega all but wrapped up, Everton’s focus has now turned to bolstering their defence and Distin is the man in line to fill Joleon Lescott’s boots.
Distin has been linked with moves to Aston Villa and Liverpool this summer but it is now looking increasingly likely that he will become an Everton player.
