Source: Liverpool_Echo
Leon Osman confident that Everton FC will retain their star players this summer
Leon Osman confident that Everton FC will retain their star players this summer despite interest from big-spending clubs[LNB]THE last ball of the season at Goodison Park had barely been kicked when ugly rumours began to surface linking Everton's stars with moves to money-bags Manchester City.[LNB]It was perhaps inevitable.[LNB]Even in an ultimately frustrating season, Everton had out-played star-studded City twice, the twin victories over Roberto Mancini's side offering two of many notable high points.[LNB]Mancini and his obscenely wealthy paymasters cannot have helped but take note of performances by players like Steven Pienaar, Mikel Arteta, and John Heitinga as Everton helped extinguish any Champions League hopes at Eastlands.[LNB] Pienaar in particular has done little to deter the rumour-mongers who like to revel in City's ongoing transfer merry-go-round.[LNB]The South African has left for the World Cup with a highly-lucrative new deal from Everton unsigned, and many fear that lack of signature hints a departure is likely.[LNB]Arteta would seem a far less likely candidate to jump ship, the Spaniard has often stated his loyalty to Everton, especially after a season when he received such strong support while rehabilitating from serious knee ligament injury back home in Spain.[LNB]Yet his name also has been added to the list of purported targets. It is not just the newly-rich of Manchester either who have assumed vulture status.[LNB]City's more successful rivals have been said to have watched Arteta's excellent return to form after his injury with interest. Sir Alex Ferguson, say the tabloids, is a fan of the best little Spaniard Evertonians know.
