Everton open talks to sign Nikica Jelavic from Rangers

By Phil McNulty
Chief Football Writer, BBC Sport




Jelavic had the SPL’s best goals-to-game ratio last season with 19 in 27 starts

Everton have opened talks with Rangers in a bid to sign Nikica Jelavic before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

West Ham had a £7m offer for the 26-year-old Croatian international striker rejected – now Everton boss David Moyes has made his move.

Rangers are understood to want £8m for Jelavic, who missed Saturday’s 4-0 win against Hibernian because of illness

Everton have a limited transfer budget but sold Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to Spartak Moscow for £5m.

However, the Toffees are unlikely to meet Rangers’ full asking price for Jelavic.

Talks are ongoing in an attempt to agree a deal, with Everton hoping Rangers may drop the price to what the Goodison Park club will regard as a more realistic valuation.

Rangers are currently struggling with financial problems and manager Ally McCoist said after the win against Hibernian: “Nikica, if he went, would be a big loss.

“He’s a fantastic player and he has been a great talent here. But, as you saw, we scored some really good goals. Nikica also didn’t play against Motherwell and equally we did very well. That’s just two examples.

“I’d also like to tell you I wouldn’t like to lose him. Of course I wouldn’t because he’s a good player.

“But I understand the economics of our club and I understand the economics of football. Sometimes they dictate and determine what happens rather than other things.”

Moyes was initially interested in Jelavic when he left Rapid Vienna in August 2010 but he switched to Rangers in a £4m move and was instrumental in bringing the title to Ibrox under Walter Smith last season.

Everton are desperate to boost their attacking options after struggling for goals this season and have targeted Jelavic as the man to solve their problems.