Everton sell Johnson to pursue Moutinho

According to the Daily Express, Everton striker Andrew Johnson was undergoing a medical at Fulham today ahead of a planned £12 million transfer.

The sale of 27-year old Johnson would give Everton boss David Moyes the funds to relaunch a bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho.

According to the First Post, Moyes had failed with an initial £11.8million bid for the 21-year old Portugal international, with Sporting seemingly insisting on a £20million deal.

Everton are unlikely to be prepared to go that high, but the sale of Johnson would certainly help boost Moyes’ transfer budget and facilitate and improved bid for Moutinho, who has expressed a desire to join the club.

Moutinho said after a friendly against Blackburn, “Everton have already made a proposal, but Sporting did not accept. We will now see what happens in the next few days.”

“But Sporting already know my will, I have already transmitted it to the people here. What is my will? With the reasons that I have, I want to leave Sporting and I hope an agreement can be found and that a good solution can be found for both parties.”

[Source: Daily Express/The First Post]