http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/07/27/Prem-Moutinho-wants-to-leave-for-Everton/
Everton edge closer to huge transfer
by Ben Blackmore, 27 July 2008
Joao Moutinho has confirmed he intends to leave Sporting to join Everton in what would be one of the sensational transfers of the summer.
Moutinho is one of the most highly rated youngsters in world football and he showed glimpses of his class for Portugal during Euro 2008.
Having won the Portuguese Cup last season, Moutinho now wants a new challenge, and the player confirmed after Saturday’s friendly with Blackburn that Everton had made an offer.
Sporting have rejected that offer, believed to be around £18 million, and now the talented midfielder hopes a solution can be found.
“Everton already made a proposal, but Sporting did not accept it,” revealed Moutinho in Portuguese media outlet Ojogo.
“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."
It is believed the stumbling block could be Everton’s desire to pay Moutinho’s fee in installments, but that obstacle could be felled with the sale of Andrew Johnson.
Meanwhile, Moutinho has eased fears that he will join Porto, insisting a chance meeting with Porto’s president was in no way a meeting about his future.