Moyes quiet on Jelavic link

30 January 2012 14:46

Everton manager David Moyes has refused to comment on speculation linking the club with Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.

Reports have suggested the Barclays Premier League are among the front-runners to sign the 26-year-old Croatia international before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Rangers are thought to value the player at around £8million and have already rejected an offer from West Ham. QPR have also been linked with the forward, who missed Rangers' 4-0 win over Hibernian on Saturday with a virus. When asked directly about Jelavic, Moyes said: "I never talk about players at other clubs, I wouldn't do that."

He added: "I don't like it and I didn't like it when I was a player and I kept hearing there were other centre-halves coming in to take my position. I wouldn't talk about players at other clubs.

"If there was any news I would give it to you. You will need to wait until midnight tomorrow (Tuesday) night and then we will let you know what is happening."

Moyes was speaking at a press conference to preview the Premier League game against Manchester City.

When asked further about the latest reports in Scotland concerning Jelavic, the former Celtic defender added: "It is a strange place that Scotland! I don't know what they do up there. They talk about anything up there."

Moyes has already completed a loan deal for Landon Donovan and the permanent signing of Darron Gibson in the current transfer window. The club have not paid a significant transfer fee for more than two years but Moyes is now thought to have some money available following the sale of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov over the weekend.

The Russian winger has joined Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £5million. Although he would not comment on individuals, Moyes is keen to complete another signing before the deadline.

He said: "I said probably a month ago that I would hope to bring two or three players in during the window, so the answer to that is yes."

Source: PA