Russia winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov could become the first of three signings for Everton before they head out to Czech Republic for Thursday’s Europa League play-off second leg. The Toffees fly out tomorrow for the clash with Sigma Olomouc , lready leading 4-0 from the first meeting last week.
With Bilyaletdinov already having penned a five-year contract, Everton boss David Moyes expects to have the loan signing of Valencia midfielder Ever Banega completed in 24 hours. And the Scot is also chasing Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin, who has handed in a transfer request at Fratton Park.
All these deals have been triggered by the funds expected to be generated by Joleon Lescott’s proposed €25 million move to Manchester City, while the prospect of Richard Dunne coming back to Goodison as part of that deal is believed to be still alive.
Bilyaletdinov signed last night after passing a medical in Hamburg and his move from Lokomotiv Moscow makes him the third most expensive signing in Everton’s history.
Everton held the medical and completed the negotiations and paperwork in Hamburg because Bilyaletdinov does not have a visa to travel to the UK but can enter Germany.
The Goodison Park club are believed to have already completed the formalities of a work permit, but the Russian has now returned to Moscow to sort out the visa application.
That documentation could be cleared in 48 hours, and Everton are considering flying their new signing to Merseyside for Sunday’s home game with Wigan although he would be unlikely to feature.
The 24-year-old has to join up with the Russia squad on Monday for two World Cup qualifiers. They play Liechtenstein on September 5 and then face Wales in Cardiff four days later.
He is expected to play in both matches, and will then travel to Merseyside straight from the Millennium Stadium to prepare for the trip to Fulham on Sunday, September 13th.
Capped 28 times by Russia, Bilyaletdinov broke into Lokomotiv’s first team in 2004, quickly forging a reputation for his direct running style as well as displaying the leadership skills which would later be rewarded with the captain’s armband.
There was more good news for Everton today, with striker Ayegbeni Yakubu set to make his comeback in the reserves tonight against Burnley at the Halton stadium in Widnes.
Yakubu has been out since last November with an Achilles injury.
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