Pienaar to sign

[COYG]

£2.2.m is a bargain, good player

Everton are hopeful of completing a £2.2m deal for on-loan midfielder Steven Pienaar by the end of the week.

The 26-year-old South African voiced concerns that a deal between the Toffees and his parent club Borussia Dortmund may have stalled.

But Everton have insisted the deal was never in doubt and the hold up was regarding agents' fees.



"The deal has been in place for some time and the final points are now being worked on," said an Everton spokesman.

A deal could be completed in time for Everton's clash with title-chasing Chelsea at Goodison Park on Thursday.

The South African international was quoted as saying that he may have to pursue other options if a deal between the two clubs could not be met.

He was also linked with moves to Arsenal, Newcastle and Valencia in recent weeks but said he was happy to stay at Everton

"I have enjoyed my time here. But the clock is ticking for me because I have a maximum transfer fee of £2.2m in my contract with Dortmund that is only valid until 30 April.

"I cannot allow this deadline to expire because this is a transfer fee that is affordable to a number of clubs, particularly in the Premier League."

Pienaar has impressed in 24 appearances for Everton this season, scoring two goals.