(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Iceland midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is due to complete a 45 million move to Everton from Premier League rivals Swansea City later on Wednesday after he passed a medical, Everton manager Ronaldo Koeman announced.
The 27-year-old, due to sign a five-year contract worth 100,000 a week, would be Everton's record signing, topping the 31.8 million they paid Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku in 2014.
"I have seen the doctor and there is no problem," said Koeman at a press conference on the eve of their Europa League match with Hakjduk Split.
"Still he needs to sign, but I saw him in the blue!"
Sigurdsson, who played a pivotal role in Swansea retaining their Premier League status last term after scoring nine goals and creating 13, pulled out of their pre-season tour to the United States and was not included in the squad for last weekend's 0-0 draw with Southampton.
Swansea, who are also battling to keep Chelsea target and veteran Spanish striker Fernando Llorente, had wanted 50 million.
They have already turned down two bids from Everton and rejected a reported 40 million offer from 2016 champions Leicester City at the beginning of the summer.
It is believed, though, that Everton will get their way in paying an initial 40 million with another 5 million to follow, taking their summer spending under Koeman to over 140 million.
Everton's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has spent close to 100 million so far in recruiting former favourite Wayne Rooney, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (30m), midfielder Davy Klaassen (23.6m), defender Michael Keane (30m), Cuco Martina and Sandro Ramirez.
However, a considerable proportion of the spending has been financed by the 75 million sale of Lukaku to Manchester United.
They could further balance the books with a big money sale of midfielder Ross Barkley to Tottenham Hotspur, although he is presently injured and likely to be out until October.
Koeman was not very forthcoming when asked about Barkley's situation and his long-term future at the club.
"He stopped training last Monday," said Koeman.
"It looks like a hamstring injury but he needs to do more tests today and tomorrow to know exactly what the injury is.
"I will wait until the end of August," he added when asked about Barkley's future at the club.
Icelandic international Sigurdsson finished third in combined goals and assists amongst midfielders in the Premier League last season behind Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Tottenham's Christian Eriksen.
MENAFN1608201700490000ID1095740029
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.