Porto offer Everton McCarthy swap for Van der Meyde

Porto hope to interest Everton in a swap deal, with the South African striker Benni McCarthy moving to Goodison Park in exchange for Andy van der Meyde.

The Dutch winger has struggled at Everton since his move from Internazionale last summer, suffering the same injury problems that plagued his career in Italy. Everton, and several other Premiership clubs, have inquired about McCarthy in the past, but they have just paid £8.5m for Andy Johnson from Crystal Palace.

They may still consider a deal involving the South African, especially as it appears that the Portuguese club are prepared to propose a straight swap with no transfer fees involved. McCarthy, who has had a poor season, has one year left on his deal at Porto but after falling out with the club's hierarchy because they blocked previous moves to England, to West Ham and Portsmouth, he will not sign a new contract. He intends to leave next year on a free transfer but would jump at the chance of moving now.

Van der Meyde is understood to want to stay on Merseyside, although his agent, Chiel Dekker, has indicated that he would consider a move back to Italy. Porto may struggle to persuade the former international to join them, although their coach, Co Adriaanse, worked with him at Ajax and believes he can revitalise his career.