Everton interested in £8m Nikica Jelavic

 

Ronnie Esplin
Monday 30 January 2012 15:40 GMT
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<b>Nikica Jelavic</b><br/>
The focal point of Glasgow Rangers' frontline, Jelavic bagged his 15th goal of the season in the 4-0 Scottish Cup defeat of Arbroath. The Daily Mail reports that any bid would have to be in excess of £7mn but it is thought that
Nikica Jelavic
The focal point of Glasgow Rangers' frontline, Jelavic bagged his 15th goal of the season in the 4-0 Scottish Cup defeat of Arbroath. The Daily Mail reports that any bid would have to be in excess of £7mn but it is thought that

Everton manager David Moyes has refused to comment on speculation linking the club with Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.

Reports have suggested the Barclays Premier League are among the front-runners to sign the 26-year-old Croatia international before tomorrow's transfer deadline.

Rangers are thought to value the player at around £8million and have already rejected an offer from West Ham. QPR have also been linked with the forward, who missed Rangers' 4-0 win over Hibernian on Saturday with a virus.

When asked directly about Jelavic today, Moyes said: "I never talk about players at other clubs, I wouldn't do that.

"I don't like it and I didn't like it when I was a player and I kept hearing there were other centre-halves coming in to take my position. I wouldn't talk about players at other clubs.

"If there was any news I would give it to you. You will need to wait until midnight tomorrow night and then we will let you know what is happening."

Moyes was speaking at a press conference to preview tomorrow's Premier League game against Manchester City.

When asked further about the latest reports in Scotland concerning Jelavic, the former Celtic defender added: "It is a strange place that Scotland!

"I don't know what they do up there. They talk about anything up there."

Moyes has already completed a loan deal for Landon Donovan and the permanent signing of Darron Gibson in the current transfer window.

The club have not paid a significant transfer fee for more than two years but Moyes is now thought to have some money available following the sale of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov over the weekend.

The Russian winger has joined Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £5million.

Although he would not comment on individuals, Moyes is keen to complete another signing before the deadline.

He said: "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."

Moyes does not believe having a game tomorrow evening will necessarily be a complication.

He said: "I don't think it will be that difficult.

"There are people at the club, so if there was business to be done I am sure they will be able to do it.

"They don't desperately need me, but it'll be eight o'clock by kick-off so there will be very little time to go."

PA

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