Pranjic making all the right noises

Lyndon Lloyd , 1 July, 20comments | Jump to most recent

Danijel Pranjic says that he would be honoured to play for Everton and apparently expects developments on that front in the next week.

Pranjic, on holiday after Euro2012 is aware of David Moyes's revived interest in him and, told Sportske Novosti: "I am honoured that such a successful coach wants to sign me, and would be honoured to play for a club like Everton with such a rich history."

"We were very close to completing a deal in January, but then Bayern prevented it going through. I can't say that everything is finished, but next week I'm expecting some concrete developments.

"I'm hungry to play again, to fight with my team-mates for success, to play for the fans. I missed all that sitting on the bench at Bayern.

"I'm 31 years old and physically I feel perfect. I have reached my maturation point as a player and as a person, and I think I'm capable of producing the best form of my career."

The Croatian international is also attracting interest from Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, France and Italy and seemed to have his heart set on a move to China in May before that fell through.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail seem keen to buck the trend, rather surprisingly stating that he is unlikely to be heading to Goodison Park.

Quotes or other material sourced from ESPN

Reader Comments (20)

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Glen Anderson
1 Posted 01/07/2012 at 15:43:38

An attacking left-back who can score free kicks. Hmmmm, maybe he'll replace a certain player courted by Man U?

Jay Harris
2 Posted 01/07/2012 at 15:52:31

If this is true and he has already stated he does not want to warm the bench it would suggest either the deal for Peanuts is off or Bainesy is on his way.

Lyndon Lloyd
3 Posted 01/07/2012 at 16:33:18

Even though it's where he has been most effective for us, Pienaar can play in more positions than just left midfield, though.

Alexander O'Brien
4 Posted 01/07/2012 at 16:34:48

I don't this suggest anything other than that we've needed another LB at the club. He was approached in Jan and at the time there was nothing about Baines moving on then. Moyes has openly said he wanted another LB so he fits the bill perfectly. Good signing and an International team mate of Jellyfish so he'll be chuffed! Naismith too....good stuff.

James Stewart
5 Posted 01/07/2012 at 16:39:10

Good option at either LB or LM. Great business for a free transfer.

Ian Glassey
6 Posted 01/07/2012 at 18:08:06

Looks a class act and can cover a number of positions.
On a free its a great deal if it comes off....

Mike Powell
7 Posted 01/07/2012 at 18:18:25

I hope he joins us, he looks a decent player. I hope it's as cover for Baines and Pienaar and not as a replacement.

Thomas McGrath
8 Posted 01/07/2012 at 20:48:21

Does that mean Baines is on his way?

James Morgan
9 Posted 01/07/2012 at 21:52:35

Maybe on the left with Pienaar as our playmaker behind Jelavic? Who knows. Let's wait and see.

Spragg Johnson
10 Posted 01/07/2012 at 23:37:30

The new Paul Power (needs a 'tache though) ... Coming to Goodison to end his career with a trophy or two! (dreams are free folks)!

Roman Sidey
11 Posted 02/07/2012 at 00:39:59

There's a pretty good chance Pienaar won't be with us this season. Even if he is, if Pranjic can play left-back, what are the chances that he can play right-back?

Mick Davies
12 Posted 02/07/2012 at 02:41:29

What is Moyes playing at? We urgently need a right back, and a decent right winger, such as Donovan. We will end up with a bench full of dispirited left sided players, and a right hand side as weak as it's always been under Moyes

David Chait
13 Posted 02/07/2012 at 09:19:14

To me this is a signing for LM based on us going for him in Jan. I reckon we only got Peanuts once this fell through. It appears he has been used largely successfully as a LM. If this happens then we might not go for Peanuts as it becomes less essential. But if we lose Baines then he can slot in there and we can afford Peanuts.

Good freebie!

Matt Traynor
14 Posted 02/07/2012 at 10:03:45

I think David (#764) has it right when you consider that Pienaar was a very late loan deal on the deadline. Pienaar did great for us when he came back, but obviously there was no deal agreed if we wanted to make it permanent. The turmoil at Tottenham since suggests its less likely, although they have been making moves in signing players, and in extending contracts, I'm sure it was done with the knowledge of their manager-in-waiting.

I know the papers have been all over Baines-Man U, but I don't think Evra is finished just yet, unless Fergie wants to play Baines (or Evra) left midfield (I don't see it myself). I can't imagine Baines would go as an understudy, or Evra would be keen to lose his place. If it is true, maybe get Evra in p/x or on loan? Would spice up the Derby...

Eric Myles
15 Posted 02/07/2012 at 10:17:48

Looks like Baines doesn't want to go anywhere.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2012/07/02/everton-fc-s-leighton-baines-calls-on-club-not-to-sell-big-names-100252-31301473/

Probably so when he goes the club can't trot out the usual line of 'he wanted to go and forced us to sell him'

Eugene Ruane
16 Posted 02/07/2012 at 10:55:55

Eric (775) - that whole 'he wanted to go' or blaming the player thing seems to go back a long way with us.

Appears there was an element of it with Speed and recently I was reading an article by George 'Georgie' Wood who said he fell out with Lee because of similar bullshit.

Matt Traynor
17 Posted 02/07/2012 at 11:03:54

Eugene (776) it's been said many times before, but Speed was told the club had accepted a bid from Newcastle, and he was stood down from duty away at West Ham to talk terms. Of course the fans at the game (I was one of them) were informed that he'd refused to travel. There was all the guff about being asked to take training cos HK was too pissed, but the being told one thing, the club doing another seems more believable.

Managers and/or clubs sometimes sell good players for whatever reasons. We sold Ball to Arsenal I believe cos we could double the money paid for him from Blackpool. Some felt his best years were behind him, many disagreed.

Dan Schweizer
18 Posted 02/07/2012 at 16:52:13

Eric
I remember arteta saying exactly the same a week before he handed in a transfer request.

be interested how this pans out, don't think he will accept Being anything but a first team starter as he is still pushing cole for the England spot.

Michael Ward
19 Posted 02/07/2012 at 21:30:41

This fella was playing as a winger for Croatia at the euros and looked a class act, I think on a free it's better business than 5m on piennar who is not worth that at his age especially to a club like everton who need to spend every penny sensibly. I am more worried about someone hijacking pranjic than Baines leaving

Sam Hoare
20 Posted 02/07/2012 at 21:50:25

Have a feeling that pienaar may not be returning. I think AVB will like him and want to offer him a chance to get in the Spurs team.

Have not seen lots of Pranjic but on a free and with his experience then it seems like an interesting alternative.

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