• Premier League

Jelavic on Merseyside after Everton agree fee

Nikica Jelavic had been linked to Liverpool © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Bridge to have Sunderland medical
  
• News: Moyes quiet on Jelavic bid talk
  

Everton have agreed a fee with Scottish champions Rangers for the transfer of Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic to the Premier League club.

The fee is believed to be around £8 million, but Everton boss David Moyes would not comment on the situation in his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday night's match with Manchester City at Goodison Park.The Scot said: "I never talk about players at other clubs, I wouldn't do that.''

Moyes, who has already signed Landon Donovan on loan and Darron Gibson permanently this month, did admit however that he was still in the market for more players. "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,'' commented the Everton boss

The Toffees are clear favourites to land the highly-rated Jelavic after West Ham manager Sam Allardyce confirmed that his Championship side had dropped their interest in the 26-year-old after having a £7 million offer rejected. Allardyce said: "I'm led to believe where it is at the moment, for us it was too expensive - full stop."

The Hammers' bid was similar to a bid rejected from Leicester City in the summer and Jelavic will now hold talks over personal terms with Everton ahead of the 11pm transfer deadline.

Everton have not paid a significant transfer fee since the summer of 2009 due to financial difficulties but Moyes is thought to have money available following the sale of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. The Russian winger joined Spartak Moscow at the weekend for an undisclosed fee reported to be around £5 million.

As well as looking to complete a deal, Moyes must prepare his side for Tuesday's visit of Premier League leaders City. Everton have a fine record against City having lost just one of the last 13 league meetings between the sides at Goodison Park.

But Moyes concedes that will count for little with City 28 points better off than his 14th-placed side. Moyes said: "Over the years we have always had quite a good record against Manchester City.

"The difference is they have improved, and they have improved from last season. You can see that from their league position. We are coming up against a far better, far greater Manchester City side than even we played last year.''

Donovan should feature after impressing in last Friday's FA Cup fourth-round win over Fulham by creating both goals. The 29-year-old American is a big favourite at Goodison after an impressive stint in 2010 but there is no prospect of him extending his latest loan from Los Angeles Galaxy beyond the end of next month.

Moyes said: "It is completely out of the question. He is going back to the Galaxy and we will always be thankful for the short time we have been with him. We will continue to enjoy the next month or so.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.