Everton to cash in on Andy Johnson and buy Joao Moutinho
Published 00:00 28/07/08 By
Everton boss David Moyes is ready to make his biggest-ever signing in Portugal ace Joao Moutinho - using cash from the sale of Andy Johnson.
The Goodison gaffer has yet to spend this summer but hopes to seal a £12millionplus deal for the creative attacker this week.
Moutinho has told his Sporting Lisbon bosses he wants to go and Everton's negotiators, led by agent Pini Zahavi, are trying to broker the switch.
Football Spy revealed Moyes's interest in Moutinho at the start of the Euro 2008 finals - and now the sale of striker Johnson will give him the cash he needs. Johnson will speak to Fulham today, with a £10.75m fee agreed.
Aj stayed off Everton's America trip so it is now down to personal terms.
The Toffees stopped Johnson from speaking out until they found a replacement, and while Moutinho is not going to fill his scoring boots, he would take his place in the squad as a star capture.
Sporting want closer to £18m for Moutinho, 21, but Everton are working overtime to reach a compromise.
Moutinho said: "Everton already made a proposal, but Sporting did not accept it. We will now see what happens in the next few days.
"Sporting know my will, I want to leave and I hope that an agreement can be found."
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