Steven Pienaar arrives at Tottenham to complete transfer

Steven Pienaar arrived at Tottenham's training ground today to put the finishing touches to his move from Everton.

The 28-year-old midfielder was set to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a reported four-year contract.

Spurs beat off competition from Chelsea to land Pienaar, who failed to agree personal terms with the Barclays Premier League champions.

That does not appear to be a problem with Tottenham, who nevertheless risked missing out on the South Africa star by refusing to meet Everton's asking price.

But the clubs came to an agreement last night, with some reports claiming Spurs had matched Chelsea's £3million bid for the player and others suggesting a compromise figure of around £2.5million and been reached.

Once all the paperwork is complete, Pienaar would officially become the north Londoner's second January signing, with international Bongani Kumalo having already penned a pre-contract agreement.

Confirming his destination on his Twitter account, Pienaar said: "To end speculation I am going to Spurs. I've had brilliant years at Everton and it will always be a special place in my heart."

Everton decided to sell the influential playmaker, rather than lose him on a free transfer when his contract expired in the summer.

Spurs are thought to have been interested for some time and were considering offering a pre-contract deal for the end of the campaign, but Chelsea's intervention forced them to enter the market.

Manager Harry Redknapp said over the weekend he was unsure whether Spurs could match the Blues' offer.

Everton have disclosed no details of the bids but confirmed last night Pienaar had now been given permission to discuss terms with Tottenham as well as Chelsea.

An article on the club's website, www.evertonfc.com, read: "Everton can confirm they have agreed terms with Tottenham over the possible transfer of Steven Pienaar.

"Confirmation of the agreement with the north London club comes just days after a bid for the South African international was accepted from Chelsea."

Pienaar joined Everton on loan from Borussia Dortmund in 2007 and the move was made permanent the following year for £2million.

He became one of the club's most influential figures and was named Player of the Year after an outstanding 2009-10 season.

It became apparent then, however, that problems were arising over a new contract.

Pienaar failed to give firm assurances that he wanted to stay beyond the end of his deal and his name was conspicuous by its absence as a succession of players signed new deals last year.

Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell and Mikel Arteta all committed themselves to Goodison Park but an offer to Pienaar remained unsigned.

His departure might at least give manager David Moyes some leverage to pursue a striker in the current transfer window, having repeatedly said he lacks funds and must look for value loans.

Spurs actually have an embarrassment of riches in central midfield but Pienaar's all-action approach might give them something different.

It could mean that Niko Kranjcar moves on having fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and previously expressed a desire for first-team football.

Pienaar also confirmed his shirt number on Twitter, saying: "I can also confirm I'll be jersey number 40."

New team-mate Jermain Defoe welcomed his arrival, suggesting it proved Tottenham were now the equal of Chelsea.

The striker said on Twitter: "signings (sic) Steven Pienaar is a massive coup for spurs this deal really shows how far we have come when we a top player rejects a big club 4 us."