Steven Naismith facing medical ahead of £8.5m Norwich move/ move completed

Kiwi · January 18, 2016

Steven Naismith is to undergo a medical at Norwich City this morning before a proposed £8.5m transfer from Everton.
A deal between the two Premier League clubs was agreed before the transfer window opened but an ankle injury, Roberto Martínez’s initial desire to keep the player during a hectic period and the forward’s wish to consider all available options combined to stall Norwich’s move.

Swansea City have also been linked with the versatile Naismith, who scored a perfect hat-trick in Everton’s 3-1 win over Chelsea in September but has made only four Premier League starts this season. However, the lure of regular first-team football under Alex Neil appears to have swayed the 29-year-old towards Carrow Road.

Everton stand to make a decent profit on a player acquired for free amid the collapse of Rangers in 2012. Signed by the former manager David Moyes, Naismith was a valuable asset to Martínez but the development of Gerard Deulofeu, Ross Barkley and others has limited his playing time this season and the Everton manager is prepared to release three players from what he views as a bloated squad. But Martínez is keen to improve his defensive options by winning the race for Leeds United’s Sam Byram.

Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson are also available for transfer. McGeady has attracted interest from Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers but is reluctant to move to the Championship on loan.

Good business or not at all?

Dozbik · January 18, 2016

First.

Ashtonian · January 18, 2016

Great business and happy to see him leave. Hope he goes and keeps Norwich up as well.

Kiwi · January 18, 2016

IMO £8.5m is very good business for a player on the fringes of the squad who isn't currently contributing and is unlikely to do so without multiple injuries.

Wish him the best though, he never stopped fighting while on the pitch for us and made several telling contributions.

GlosBlue · January 18, 2016

Good luck to him. Hope he does well (except against us obviously!).

admirschleck · January 18, 2016

Part of me wanted him to stay... BUT KINELL 8.5 MIL GET THAT ALBINO BOY OUT IM SOLD LOOOL

Stuartisitc1878 · January 18, 2016

good business. Shame to see him leave but Martinez didn't play him and he wasn't ever going to start over Ross or Rom. That 8.5m needs to be reinvested in the squad though.

Tony Cottee · January 18, 2016

£8m for a player who signed on a free and has only really been a squad player is great business. I like Naisy but it's a good deal for all parties and wish him all the best for the future

Yorkie · January 18, 2016

Decent business providing we spend the money well.

Genuinely like Naismith as a person, he seems like a really good chap, and exemplifies values of the club and Eitc with his off the field actions.
He put a shift in on the pitch too, other players could learn from his work ethic.
Altogether he's been a fantastic ambassador for the club and I wish him every success if he leaves.

Tubey · January 18, 2016

I like Naismith as a guy, but as a footballer that fee is at least double what he's worth. I can't see how anyone can be unhappy with mugging Norwich off like this.