Everton FC out to avoid bidding war for star midfielder Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta 300EVERTON are battling to avoid another Joleon Lescott-style transfer saga this summer - after Mikel Arteta's name emerged as a possible shock departure.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.Both Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright refuted that claim last night, but there are fears that the influential midfielder is unsettled.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. 'We earnestly believe that is still the case. The health of Gabriel has never been mentioned in these discussions.'That the Blues' chairman feels he has to 'persuade' Arteta that his future lies with the club, however, suggests a problem.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.

Source: Liverpool_Echo