Moyes eyes Baros for Stanley Park switch
Aug 2 2005
By Ian Doyle Daily Post Staff
EVERTON are considering an attempt to lure Milan Baros across Stanley Park to Goodison.
David Moyes has earmarked the shock transfer as he strives to solve his team's striking shortcomings ahead of next week's Champions League qualifier against Villarreal.
Everton have scored just once from open play in four pre-season encounters and netted only 45 goals in 38 Premiership games last season.
And now Moyes has turned his attentions to Baros, who has been deemed surplus to requirements by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez following the arrival of Peter Crouch.
German Bundesliga outfit Schalke yesterday withdrew from the race to sign the Czech striker after admitting they were unable to meet Liverpool's £7million asking price.
"The club (Liverpool) only wants to sell," said Schalke general manager Rudi buttauer. "Eight to 10million euros is impossible so Milan Baros will not be moving to Schalke."
Aston Villa have also so far failed to meet Liverpool's valuation while West Ham United and Deportivo La Coruna, though having declared an interest in Baros, have yet to make a formal bid.
That has paved the way for Everton to make a possible move for the 23-year-old, with Moyes having been handed sufficient funds to finance a bid.
Baros's agent Pavel Paska has claimed two clubs have matched Liverpool's asking price, and said: "Liverpool will have the final say,
though I do expect that Milan's transfer will be finalised soon."
Everton must complete any new signings before midnight on Thursday to ensure they are eligible for the crucial Champions League third qualifying round clash against Villarreal.
Moyes, who is expected to bolster his squad with a number of arrivals this week, has been desperate to bring in extra firepower over the summer only to be continually frustrated.
A move for Mikel Forssell collapsed on medical grounds, former target Craig Bellamy joined Blackburn Rovers while Crystal Palace continue to price Andy Johnson out of the market with an unrealistic £10m valuation, with a press conference at Selhurst Park this morning expected to reveal the striker's future plans.
Ironically, Baros was sent off in the last Merseyside derby in March following a dreadful challenge on then Goodison captain Alan Stubbs.
The last player to move from Liverpool to Everton was Gary Ablett, who made the switch in January 1992 for £750,000.
