45.
João Filipe Iria Santos Moutinho
Moutinho
says:
"It's true I was interested in going to Everton, but I didn't
accept the offer. But who knows what might happen next season
in terms of playing in England?" (02/09/08)
The
longest running saga since who shot JR, is will we won't we sign
João. Bluekipper got the nod today that the Portuguese
midfielder was in the city ready to put pen to paper in a deadline
day deal tomorrow. After watching the Blues highlights in his
hotel room tonight, he could well be back on his way home to Portugal.
Lets hope not anyway, and Moyesy finally does get his man.
(30/08/08)
Everton
may still sign Moutinho before the transfer deadline on Monday
night. Reports of last minute faxes and phone calls to finalise
a transfer are flying about. What did Blue Bill say? Watch this
space! (29/08/08)
Every
club does it, tapping up players that is, and now Nuno Valente
our Portuguese defender is telling Mr. Moutinho to stop messing
around and get his arse over to Goodison. Nuno is a big fan of
his countryman and he would love to see him at Everton this season.
That's funny, so would we Nuno, so would we.
Nuno
says: "Moutinho, of course, is a good player and
he is someone that I know. He was a star at Euro 2008 for Portugal.
He is sharp, he plays good football and he drives his team forward.
He is also a leader – if he wasn’t, there would be no way that
he would be the captain of a big club like Sporting at the age
of 22. He has a strong personality.
If we spend so much money on a player like him, he would pay it
back in the next few years. I would like to see him here because
he is Portuguese! But the reason I would want to see him here
most is because he is a good player and will improve us."
(11/08/08)
Even
with Sporting saying he is not for sale, Everton aim to use the
money from the sale of Andy Johnson
to increase their bid for Joao. (08/08/08)
Everton
Chairman Bill Kenwright has confirmed that Joao remains a top
target for Everton.
Blue
Bill says: "That is one of the ones you can believe
in the papers. He is one of his (the manager's) major targets,
but there are others who have not made the papers yet, thankfully.
David said last week in America 'I am only going to bring in players
who will take the Club forward' and that is how he is. He is relentless
in that, I have never known David say 'he'll do' or 'that'll do'.
He takes his time, pinpoints and focuses. And when I actually
see the player he has focussed on I say 'I get it'. I saw one
this weekend on a football pitch and I said 'yeah, I see why we
want that particular player'." (05/08/08)
There
seems to be stalemate on this transfer happening. Apparently there
is a £20m buy-out clause in Moutinho’s contract, but Everton
won't pay that much and Sporting won't accept anything less.
(03/08/08)
Everton
are believed to be ready to up their bid to capture João.
Despite the resignation
of Everton's CEO, there are forces at work behind the scenes
to bring Moyesy what he wants. (31/07/08)
Nothing
official from Everton yet but plenty of other things happening
with the possible signing of Moutinho. The player himself knows
of a bid which has been rejected. There is also some a complicated
statement on the Sporting web site. Let's hope we can get this
fella. We need a lift on the transfer front.
João
says:
"Everton already made a proposal, but Sporting did not accept
it. We will now see what it happens in the next few days, but
Sporting already knows my will, I have already transmitted it
to the people.
"What
is my will? With the reasons that I have, I want to leave Sporting.
I hope that an agreement can be found and that a good solution
arrives for both parties."
Sporting
statement:
1.
Last Saturday the FIFA agent Pini Zahavi, fitted with a letter
of representation issued by Everton FC visit to the headquarters
of the Society and be transmitted intention of the English club
offered 15 M € for the acquisition of sports rights of the player
Joao Moutinho, can the that figure eventually add an amount not
yet determined if the Everton FC to qualify for the Champions
League.
2.
The proposal was rejected outset and was sent to Mr Pini Zahavi,
who acted in the dual capacity as representative of the player
and Everton FC, which was not the intention Sporting, SAD transfer
the player.
3.
As is public knowledge, Joao Moutinho of the contract was substantially
improved last year and provides for a termination clause in the
value of 25 million € which can be exercised until June 15 of
each year. Any proposals submitted after that date, although not
binding on the Company, will have to comply with certain requirements,
which did not happen.
4.Por
addition to Sporting, SAD believes that their structures will
have the ability to create the conditions for an athlete, that
much pride, beyond the questions of a personal nature which faces
and can continue to feel good and happy in their midst.
5.
Finally, reveals that the personal reasons that the player pleads
to transfer are completely unrelated to Sporting SAD and the employment
relationship it maintains with the player and, as such, it can
not justify in any way an act of management that does not advocate
adequately the interests of the Company and its shareholders.(27/08/08)
Sporting
have issued a statement saying Joao is not for Sale.
Sporting
Lisbon President Soares Franco says: "The
squad is closed for this season and we have received no offers
for Joao Moutinho or Miguel Veloso. The two players are in our
squad and we have no need to sell as we are financially secure.
We have secured European football again for next year so have
benefited from that. The squad we have at the moment is preparing
to mount a title bid next season." (21/07/08)
We
need a lift and could this rumour be the one that does it. In
Portuguese paper A Bola it mentions Everton's interest in Moutinho
and has a quote from our CEO. It would be a great signing.
Bully
Wyness says: “The arrival of Joao Moutinho is a big possibility
for us.” (20/07/08)
Joe wants to be left alone to concentrate
on playing for Portugal. When he was asked about a possible move
to Everton or Arsenal he wanted to stay focused on the Euro's.
Joe
says:
“Despite me longer having a buy-out clause, everything remains
the same as before I started played the European Championships.
I am only focused on playing for Portugal and to do the best for
my country; all that I can do about the rest is wait and see.
I do not want to comment about another club’s interest. I only
want to think of Portugal. Then I will have the time to think
about the future.” (17/06/08)
Currently
staring in the Euro's
with Portugal, the 21 year old is hoping for a move to the Premiership.
Joe (to his mates) is at Sporting Lisbon were his sublime passing
skills have made the midfielder a hero. At only 5' 7" he
already has 14 caps for Portugal. Some reporters
have him at Everton on year long loan deal already, even though
manure and Barca are on the case. Moyesy was on his trail back
in April 2005. (10/06/08)
See
Joao Mutino In Action
Blue
Kipper says:
