GOOD BOY - Mikel Arteta in action for Everton against
Manchester United
The Spain midfielder has been linked with the two clubs during
the January transfer window but still has three years remaining on
his Goodison Park deal. But Everton and Arteta’s advisers are
determined to ward off renewed interest in the summer, with clubs
in his homeland also monitoring the situation.
Arteta, 26, will get a £10,000-a-week pay rise to £50,000 and
has already indicated to boss David Moyes that he is happy at
Goodison Park and wants to remain on Merseyside.
The midfielder has completed a remarkable turnaround in his
fortunes over the last year. The former Glasgow Rangers player
signed for Everton from Real Sociedad for a now bargain £2.5m back
in July 2005.
But he was constantly plagued by a back problem until a special
course of deep massage in Spain helped him regain his fitness and
form.
