Everton, Spurs open Pienaar talks
Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks about the transfer of Bafana Bafana skipper Steven Pienaar to Goodison Park.
‘Schillo’ spent a successful six months on loan at The Toffees in the second half of last year and is hoping to return to Merseyside for a fourth spell with the club.
He has been deemed surplus to requirements by new Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, and has made it clear that he sees a return to Everton as his preferred choice.
One sticking point could be the transfer fee, with cashless Everton possibly unable to meet the reported £5-million (R65-million) asking price of Spurs unless they sell first.
Pienaar initially joined Everton on loan from German side Borussia Dortmund for the 2007/08 season after a torrid time in the Bundesliga.
He was signed on a permanent deal the following season and became a cult hero the club, being voted Player of the Season in the 2009/10 campaign.
His desire to play Uefa Champions League football saw him leave for Spurs in January 2011, but injury and a reluctance from then boss Harry Redknapp to select him meant he did not make a single League start for Spurs.
His loan at Everton from January 2012 was a roaring success though, with his equalising goal against Manchester United in a 4-4 draw at Old Trafford arguably the one that lost the Red Devils the Premiership title.
