Sigurdsson set for record move to Everton

LONDON: Iceland midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is due to complete a £45 million ($58m, 49.4m euros) move to Everton from Premier League rivals Swansea City later on Wednesday after he passed a medical, Everton manager Ronaldo Koeman announced. The 27-year-old, due to sign a five-year contract worth £100,000 a week, would be Everton’s record signing, topping the £31.8 million they paid Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku in 2014. “I have seen the doctor and there is no problem,” said Koeman at a press conference on the eve of their Europa League match with Hakjduk Split. “Still he needs to sign, but I saw him in the blue!” Sigurdsson, who played a pivotal role in Swansea retaining their Premier League status last term after scoring nine goals and creating 13, pulled out of their pre-season tour to the United States and was not included in the squad for last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Southampton. Swansea, who are also battling to keep Chelsea target and veteran Spanish striker Fernando Llorente, had wanted £50 million. They have already turned down two bids from Everton and rejected a reported £40 million offer from 2016 champions Leicester City at the beginning of the summer. It is believed, though, that Everton will get their way in paying an initial £40 million with another £5 million to follow, taking their summer spending under Koeman to over £140 million. Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has spent close to £100 million so far in recruiting former favourite Wayne Rooney, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (£30m), midfielder Davy Klaassen (£23.6m), defender Michael Keane (£30m), Cuco Martina and Sandro Ramirez. However, a considerable proportion of the spending has been financed by the £75 million sale of Lukaku to Manchester United. They could further balance the books with a big money sale of midfielder Ross Barkley to Tottenham Hotspur, although he is presently injured and likely to be out until October. — AFP