Everton

Davies follows heroes' footsteps
New Everton midfielder Simon Davies says he hopes to follow the example of Kevin Ratcliffe and Neville Southall. "When I used to watch Wales as a youngster Kevin and Neville were legends and they played for Everton," said the 24-cap Wales international. "There's a long history of connection between Everton and Wales and it's good I can continue that," the 25-year-old told the club's official website. Davies completed his move from Spurs last week for an initial £3.5m fee.

Arsenal monitor Tranmere's Taylor
Arsenal are the latest club to be linked with Tranmere's £1m-rated youngster Ryan Taylor. Norwich were set to bid for the 20-year-old defender, but boss Nigel Worthington claimed the player had decided to join Everton. He said: "He's gone to Everton - it's a Premiership club and means that he doesn't have to move." But The Guardian reports Everton have not agreed a deal and Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger is now pondering a move.

Weir targets new Everton contract
David Weir would be happy to sign a new one-year deal in order to help Everton achieve more success next season. The 35-year-old defender had been offered the chance to join Leeds but is determined to stay at Everton, who have qualified for the Champions League. "I'm happy to sign a one-year deal instead of two," said the Scot. "I want to be there to help Everton do well next season. A lot of people said we'd go down and it was nice to prove them wrong. Next year will be tough." Weir also wants to help Everton prove that finishing fourth in the Premiership was no fluke. "Every year a club does well then can't keep it going," said Weir. "It happened to Ipswich a few years ago so we need to ensure we're no one-season wonders. "There is no reason why we should be. We have good team spirit but I've always found in football that there is a good team spirit in every dressing room when your side is winning."

Everton still in hunt for Parker
Everton insist they are still in the race to sign Chelsea's Scott Parker, but will not comment on claims Mikael Forssell has failed his medical. "It is categorically untrue to say we have dropped out of the chase to sign Parker," an Everton spokesman said. But there is no news on Parker's Blues team-mate Forssell, who underwent tests at Everton on Saturday after missing most of last season with a knee injury. The clubs have already agreed a fee of around £4m for the 24-year-old striker. Forssell was fit enough to play in Chelsea's Champions League semi-final defeat by Liverpool last month. He is now with the Finland squad, and is expected to start their World Cup qualifier against Holland on 8 June before returning to Goodison Park for further talks. Parker's wages were believed to be the stumbling block to a £6m to Goodison Park, with Newcastle and Liverpool ready to fight it out for his signature. But David Moyes appears determined to land the midfielder, 24, who cost Chelsea £10m at the start of last year.

Yobo relishing challenge
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo says he is excited about playing in the European Champions League next season with his English club Everton. Everton qualified for the Champions League for the first time after finishing fourth in the Premiership just ahead of local rivals and European Champions Liverpool. He told BBC Sport: "It's a massive achievement for the club - hanging on to fourth place even when people were expecting us to drop a point. "Qualifying for Europe for us is phenomenal because we've been waiting for this opportunity for years." The team's qualification is even more remarkable given that the side only finished one place above the relegation zone in 2004 and they sold their prize asset Wayne Rooney to Manchester United last August. "Basking in the euphoria of Champions League qualification with this club, I still flash back to the days when people saw us as underachievers," he said. "We have a bunch of good players who want to give it their best shot and hopefully continue like this." The Super Eagles player caught the eye of Everton manager David Moyes at the 2002 World Cup and joined the club that summer in a year-long loan deal from French club Marseille. Such was his contribution that Moyes wanted to sign Yobo on a permanent deal six months ahead of schedule. However, the Nigerian changed his agent during the negotiations and this led to him having to take a backseat at Everton. Eventually he forced his way back into the squad but had play at right-back after he had previously excelled in the centre of defence. "Things are going on well now," Yobo said. "I'm happy now that the manager and the club will be adding more quality players to this squad so that we can compete in Champions League next season. "I'm happy here and I want to win the champions league with Everton. "Having played at the World Cup I have another dream of playing in Europe with the club."

Everton quintet agree new deals
David Weir, Duncan Ferguson, Leon Osman, Gary Naysmith and Kevin Kilbane have all agreed new deals with Everton. Defender Weir, 35, and striker Ferguson, 33, have one-year contracts. A new three-year deal has been agreed with 26-year-old defender Naysmith, while midfielder Osman, 24, has signed for four more years. Winger Kilbane, 28, has agreed a deal which runs until 2008, but the futures of skipper Alan Stubbs, Steve Watson and Alessandro Pistone are unresolved.

Cahill wants Kewell for Everton
Everton's Tim Cahill has urged boss David Moyes to move for Australia team-mate Harry Kewell if he leaves Liverpool in the close season. Kewell, 26, came under fire last season and limped off injured in the Carling Cup and the Champions League finals. But Cahill said: "I want to make it quite clear that Harry has nothing to prove to anyone and if Liverpool don't want him then we'll have him. "If Liverpool don't want him, there will be clubs lining up for him." Kewell was jeered by Liverpool fans when he came off with a groin injury early in the Champions League final win against AC Milan - and he has since undergone surgery. In contrast to Kewell's disappointment, Cahill had a magnificent first season at Everton after his £2m move from Millwall last summer. But he remains a committed Kewell supporter, insisting: "He's been injured and I think he's been too honest in coming back too early and wanting to play for his club and wanting to do a job for Liverpool. "The kid is a great footballer and everyone knows that. "What he has done in the game speaks for itself. But sometimes things don't happen for you and I think Harry just needs a bit of a break and he'll definitely come back with flying colours. "When you're injured, you're injured. You can't do anything about it, so I think it's easy to pick faults with players and look for scapegoats. "I think 'H' just needs to enjoy his summer and come back next year fit." Cahill is in Germany preparing for the Confederations Cup, with Kewell sidelined.

Yobo relishing challenge
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo says he is excited about playing in the European Champions League next season with his English club Everton. Everton qualified for the Champions League for the first time after finishing fourth in the Premiership just ahead of local rivals and European Champions Liverpool. He told BBC Sport: "It's a massive achievement for the club - hanging on to fourth place even when people were expecting us to drop a point. "Qualifying for Europe for us is phenomenal because we've been waiting for this opportunity for years." The team's qualification is even more remarkable given that the side only finished one place above the relegation zone in 2004 and they sold their prize asset Wayne Rooney to Manchester United last August. "Basking in the euphoria of Champions League qualification with this club, I still flash back to the days when people saw us as underachievers," he said. "We have a bunch of good players who want to give it their best shot and hopefully continue like this." The Super Eagles player caught the eye of Everton manager David Moyes at the 2002 World Cup and joined the club that summer in a year-long loan deal from French club Marseille. Such was his contribution that Moyes wanted to sign Yobo on a permanent deal six months ahead of schedule. However, the Nigerian changed his agent during the negotiations and this led to him having to take a backseat at Everton. Eventually he forced his way back into the squad but had play at right-back after he had previously excelled in the centre of defence. "Things are going on well now," Yobo said. "I'm happy now that the manager and the club will be adding more quality players to this squad so that we can compete in Champions League next season. "I'm happy here and I want to win the champions league with Everton. "Having played at the World Cup I have another dream of playing in Europe with the club."

Osman & Naysmith sign new deals
Everton midfielder Leon Osman has signed his new four-year deal while defender Gary Naysmith has penned his new three-year deal at Goodison Park. Osman, 24, said: "I am here for the love of the club and for the love of football. It's satisfying to know the club value me. "I was desperate to stay and thankfully it has happened." Naysmith, 26, said: "I'm delighted to be finally signing because it has been a long time coming." Osman only made his senior Everton debut three matches from the end of the 2003-4 season following a loan spell at Derby. But he has since made 40 first-team appearances, scoring eight goals, while Naysmith has played 130 games for them since joining from Hearts in October 2000.

Newcastle seal £6.5m Parker deal
Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker on a five-year deal. They have paid £6.5m for the 24-year-old England international. "As soon as Chelsea made it clear they were prepared to let me leave, I was keen on this move," Parker told Newcastle's official website. "I've played here a few times. I know how big the club is. I was impressed with the manager Graeme Souness. He's a major factor behind my decision." Parker admitted he had been frustrated during his stay at Chelsea, who he joined for £10m from Charlton in January 2004. "I was a key figure at Charlton and playing every week, and then all of a sudden at Chelsea I wasn't a regular and had to get used to being on the sidelines. "But that has made me a stronger person and I don't leave Chelsea believing that I have failed. "I have learned a lot there and developed as a player and I'm confident you will see that at Newcastle next season." Parker said his experiences at Stamford Bridge had made him hungry for first team football - and success. "I have a desire to win things and I feel that at Newcastle I can do that," he said. "The manager has given me a huge lift, I feel wanted again and I know I can do a good job here." Souness said he had long been an admirer of the midfielder. "At Chelsea, things conspired against him because he is more than good enough to hold down a regular place in that team," he said. "But football is all about opinions as well and their manager and the people there felt that they could let him go. "We are delighted that we have got him because he is going to be a top player here for a very long time." Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd said Parker had been the club's main target for some time. "He is our first signing of the summer and will be a valuable addition to our squad," he told Newcastle's website. "He is still young but has a lot of experience and we welcome him to Newcastle and look forward to seeing him in a black and white shirt." Everton dropped out of the race to sign Parker, leaving the path clear for Newcastle to move in. The club are thought to be ready to match Parker's reported weekly wage of £55,000 at Stamford Bridge. Everton had also targeted Parker but lost out - and Souness is also confident of beating the Toffees to land Inter Milan's Emre Belozoglu. Newcastle believe they are close to a deal for the Turkish midfield man.

Man City 'cast eyes towards Bent'
Manchester City are lining up a £1m bid for Everton striker Marcus Bent, according to reports. City boss Stuart Pearce is said to have targeted the 27-year-old to bolster his attacking options. After selling Jonathan Macken to Crystal Palace, City have only Robbie Fowler as a senior striker. Out-of-favour Bent is likely to fall even further down the Goodison Park pecking order if Toffees boss David Moyes lands his summer targets. Everton are reportedly eyeing Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy and Swedish striker Johan Elmander who plays for Danish club Brondby. City boss Pearce will have noted that despite being apparently surplus to requirements at Goodison Park, Bent made 37 Premiership appearances last season, including six as substitute, and scored six Premiership goals to prove his ability to play in the top flight. The much-travelled Bent began at Brentford as a trainee and his journey has taken him to Crystal Palace, Port Vale and Sheffield United before a £2.1m move to Blackburn. From there, Bent moved to Ipswich in a £3m deal and had a loan spell at Leicester before joining Everton last June for £450,000.

Robson is keen to talk to Watson
West Brom boss Bryan Robson is waiting for the opportunity to speak to Everton utility player Steve Watson. Robson has made it clear he is prepared to offer more than the one-year deal Watson has been offered by Everton. Watson, 31, told the Express & Star newspaper: "I haven't given up hope of staying at Everton, but I'm flattered by Albion's interest." The Baggies face competition for Watson from Blackburn, newly-promoted Wigan and Sunderland, and Leeds United. Watson is hoping to hold a further round of talks with Toffees' boss David Moyes, but accepts his future might lie away from Goodison Park. He added: "I hope I can have another talk with David Moyes when I get back. "I don't know what I shall be doing next and I've come away for a couple of days to relax and think about it. "I've thought about nothing else recently but have not made any firm decisions. "I'm aware of Bryan Robson's interest and it's the second time he's tried to sign me dating back to his Middlesbrough days. "Joining Albion is a move that would interest me if I am to leave Everton."

Watson considers West Brom option
Everton's Steve Watson is considering whether his future lies away from Goodison Park after West Brom showed an interest in signing the midfielder. The 31-year-old is out of contract this summer but has been offered a new deal to stay with the Toffees. "I haven't given up hope of staying but I'm flattered by Albion's interest," said Watson. "I hope I can have another talk with manager David Moyes. I don't know what I'll be doing next." The former Newcastle player said he would be tempted by a move to West Brom. "I'm aware of Bryan Robson's interest and it's the second time he has tried to sign me, dating back to his Middlesbrough days," he added. "Joining Albion is a move that would interest me - if I am to leave Everton."

Premiership trio head to Thailand
Everton, Bolton and Manchester City will all compete in the Premier League Trophy in Bangkok later in the summer. The trio will be joined by the Thai national team for the four-team knockout tournament. The English teams will also visit the island of Phuket to meet survivors of the tsunami disaster. "The passion and interest in the Premier League in Thailand meant it was a natural choice," said Premier League chief Dave Richards. The tournament will take place at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on 20 and 23 July. And Richards added: "By holding an event in Thailand we look forward to building on the strong relationships and enormous interest the Premier League enjoys throughout Asia. "In addition to the £1m donation we made to the Indian Ocean Appeal, we hope to help highlight the recovery of the region since the Indian Ocean earthquake as well as provide some presents and coaching for local children." The competition will be the second of its type to be held outside England. Chelsea, Newcastle and Birmingham all competed in Malaysia in 2003.

Everton secure new sponsor deal
Everton have agreed the most lucrative sponsorship deal in their history with Asian drinks giant Chang. The contract extention is understood to be worth £2m-a-year over the next three years to the Merseyside club. Chief executive Keith Wyness said: "We continue to be leaders in terms of establishing a major foothold in what is the fast-emerging Far East market." As part of the package, three young Thailand players will join Everton's academy next season. Everton manager David Moyes will hope the deal provides him with extra financial firepower in the transfer market as he seeks re-inforcements after winning a place in the Champions League.

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