Diniyar Bilyaletdinov close to Spartak Moscow move

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer, BBC Sport




Bilyaletdinov has played just four full league games for Everton since 2009

Everton winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s impending transfer to Russian side Spartak Moscow has moved a step closer.

Spartak claimed on Monday the 26-year-old Russia international had already agreed personal terms.

Everton have now confrmed that they have agreed a fee to allow the player to return to Moscow.

Bilyaletdinov has failed to make a major impact since joining for £10m from Lokomotiv Moscow in August 2009.

Spartak are understood to be paying a fee in the region of £5m.

A statement on the Moscow club’s website added: “The contract will be signed after the medical examination.”

Everton manager David Moyes, who has signed Landon Donovan and Darron Gibson this month, has finally decided to cut his losses.

Bilyaletdinov has won 39 caps for his country and scored nine goals in 77 appearances for Everton but has been on the fringes of their first team this season.

No fee has been revealed as yet but Moyes is sure to attempt to use any cash he rakes in to bolster his squad before the end of the month.

Moyes has been searching for a central defender to cover an injury crisis, while Everton’s chronic shortage of goals and attacking threat has also put a new striker on his radar.

Everton have also been strongly linked with a loan move for Fiorentina’s Alessio Cerci.

The 24-year-old has fallen from favour at the Serie A club and may be allowed to leave Italy.