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Knee worry puts Fer's Everton move in doubt

Leroy Fer has not completed his move to Everton yet © Getty Images

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• News: Everton pull plug on Fer deal after medical
  

Everton's £8.6 million bid to sign FC Twente midfielder Leroy Fer is in the balance after the player's medical showed up a knee problem.

Fer, 23, suffered a serious knee injury while playing for Netherlands against Turkey in a World Cup qualifier on September 7. The former Feyenoord man was sidelined for two months after having to undergo an operation to repair the damage.

Everton are attempting to clarify the extent of the problem, and are still looking to complete the signing before Thursday's transfer deadline. However, they are understood to want a chunk of the fee to be based on appearances.

FC Twente officials, though, have accused Everton of trying to renegotiate the agreed fee.

"Everton have additional requirements on the method of payment. Here we do not agree. It's stuck," club chairman Joop Munsterman said. "We don't play that game at Twente. They can come up with any demand they wish but we're not playing along with their demands."

Everton's official website confirmed on Monday that the club had agreed a deal for Fer, who then travelled to Merseyside to have a medical and discuss personal terms.

The Netherlands international spoke of his excitement at the proposed transfer, but is understood to have returned to his homeland on Tuesday evening.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Everton manager David Moyes was coy when asked about the midfielder.

"He's a really good player, but we have to say he's not signed yet," he said. "He's only part way through his medical, so there's a bit to go before we can confirm anything. I think it will be better if we talk once I get him signed."

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