Despite his stock falling following a season of warming the Manchester City bench Scott Sinclair remains a much wanted man this summer.
With several Premier League clubs chasing the England flyer – West Brom for one are reportedly seeking a loan deal – the Cutter understands it is Everton who are set to imminently swoop for a player desperate to depart from the Etihad with Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright confident of landing a welcome present for incoming boss Roberto Martinez.
Though still to officially take the reins having only agreed compensation this week with his former employers Wigan we’ve been informed a discussion has already taken place between the new blues manager and the board concerning present players, a transfer budget, mutual ambitions….and Sinclair.
Ironically the 24 year old was a mooted target for David Moyes back in January but a proposed loan attempt was ultimately too complicated to be agreed upon. Now a permanent deal is there for the taking with the unsettled player due to fall further down the pecking order once City have tied up their £17m move for Spanish wideman Jesus Navas.
Martinez knows he is inheriting a talented squad capable of challenging for a top four spot but is also determined to implant his pure football philosophy onto Everton and feels there is a need for greater width and flair than what is currently available to him. Sinclair fits the bill perfectly and the player himself will be chomping at the bit for the opportunity to revive his flagging career with a move to a top flight club based in the north-west. After being unfairly used as a transfer pawn in a behind-the-scenes power-play last summer – with former City boss Mancini patently not either wanting or rating the winger – it would also be refreshing to play for a coach who believes in his ability. It’s pertinent to point out too that Martinez shares a similar style of play to Brendan Rodgers, a manger who Sinclair revelled under at Swansea.
That surprise move by City last summer cost them £6.2M and they will be looking to recoup most of their outlay meaning a bid by Everton in the region of £5M would be successful. A potential complication however lies in the £2M pay-off previously dangled to Sinclair that City may now decide to play hardball with.
Our impeccable source also informs Eevee that the long-rumoured move by Everton to bring Joleon Lescott back into the Goodison fold is now dead in the water with Martinez preferring his Wigan stopper Antonin Alcaraz as a cheaper option.
Doubtful.
Weve got width in Pienaar and Mirallas. What we’re short of is a striker, if Jelavic isnt going to find his sights again, and a replacement for Neville and probably Heitinga. If we need a winger McManaman from Wigan would be a better bet than Sinclair…certainly cheaper in wages.
Would be more interested in Joleon back from City to be honest. Some sections of Goodison dont agree with that though.
Jonesy – why are some of your fans not keen on Lescott? Surely you all understand why he had to come to City?
Mate we will need a new fast winger, if Martinez is really our new manager.
He prefers to play 343 that means with 2 wingers
We already got one in Mirallas, and Sinclair would be the second one. We are in need of a better striker and the front will be complete 😉