Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC out to avoid bidding war for star midfielder Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta 300[LNB]EVERTON are battling to avoid another Joleon Lescott-style transfer saga this summer - after Mikel Arteta's name emerged as a possible shock departure.[LNB]Reports yesterday claimed that Arteta had told manager David Moyes he wanted to return to Spain after his one-year-old son had been diagnosed as partially sighted.[LNB]Both Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright refuted that claim last night, but there are fears that the influential midfielder is unsettled.[LNB]Kenwright said last night: 'It is true that David and myself have spoken to Mikel on a couple of occasions this summer and tried to persuade him his future lies with us.[LNB] 'We earnestly believe that is still the case. The health of Gabriel has never been mentioned in these discussions.'[LNB]That the Blues' chairman feels he has to 'persuade' Arteta that his future lies with the club, however, suggests a problem.[LNB]Arteta is due to travel with the Blues Down Under on Friday when the squad leaves for a pre-season tour of Australia - and he is still expected to board the plane for the three-week trip.
