Moyes to use Pienaar as bait to bring Crouch to Everton
Published:David Moyes is considering letting Steven Pienaar complete a move to Tottenham, but wants Peter Crouch in exchange.
The Mirror reports that Moyes has been tracking the England striker since Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp hinted earlier this summer that he may consider letting him leave White Hart Lane.
Moyes currently has Louis Saha, Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford as his striking options, but with none of them fancied to score the goals to help Everton make a challenge for a Champions League place, added reinforcements may be needed.
Everton are 10/1 to finish in the top four and have not made the brightest start by losing away at Blackburn and being held to a draw at Goodison Park by Wolves in their opening two games.
Up next is an away trip to Aston Villa, but Moyes also has to convince Pienaar to sign a new contract.
The South African only has a one year left on his present deal and could potentially leave on a free next summer if no new contract is agreed.
Negotiations have stalled so far, with Tottenham proving the leading club to monitor developments in the hope of adding Pienaar to their squad.
Tottenham are 11/4 to secure a top-four finish for the second season in succession and are looking to assemble a squad that can cope with the demands of both the Champions League and Premier League.
Their next fixture in the league is at home against Wigan and they will be optimistic of improving their goal difference as Roberto Mancini’s men have conceded ten goals in their opening two games.
Tottenham are 2/9 to move onto seven points after three games, with Jermain Defoe scoring five goals in the fixture last season when Redknapp’s team won 9-1.
Crouch also scored once against Wigan last season and is 66/1 to finish the season as the Premier League top goalscorer, with a move to Everton likely to offer him more guaranteed first-team opportunities.
