Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC will refuse to be held to ransom by Steven Pienaar
Steven Pienaar 300[LNB]EVERTON will refuse to be held to ransom by Steven Pienaar after he turned down the chance to become one of their top earners.[LNB]The club were dismayed when the 28-year-old shunned a highly lucrative five-year deal which would have put him on par with their highest-paid stars.[LNB]Instead Pienaar's agent Ivan Modia attempted to heap pressure on the Goodison board, by claiming the South African midfielder will consider leaving if a deal is not wrapped-up before the World Cup starts.[LNB]Everton have become increasingly frustrated with contradictory statements from Modia.[LNB]First he claimed Pienaar wanted to wait until after the summer tournament to decide on his future. Then he announced that the club's player of the season wanted everything finalised before he jets off to his home-land - or he could leave.[LNB]His outbursts are believed to have staggered the Everton board, with contract negotiations having started with Pienaar's representatives some time ago.[LNB]Modia has let it be known that 'big clubs' are waiting in the wings to sign the player, with Manchester United and Spurs reported to monitoring the situation.[LNB]But the ECHO understands that Everton will not consider bids from any other Premier League clubs, and are prepared to make Pienaar see out the final year of his contract.[LNB]Modia has maintained that his client would like to stay with Everton, but his decision to knock back their hugely generous contract offer suggests he is ready to leave.[LNB]He said: 'We recently had a couple of meetings with Everton, we got to agreements on some aspects of the contract but we are still far on some other aspects about the valuation of the player.[LNB]'At the moment it is up to them but it is very unlikely we can find a solution before the World Cup.[LNB]'He is loyal to the club and it is up to what Everton want to do.[LNB]'To be honest he is really looking forward and hopes they can agree before the World Cup. If nothing happens before the World Cup with Everton we may have to consider other options.'
