Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Everton, Tottenham Agree Fee For Steven Pienaar

Chelsea's chances of landing South African winger Steven Pienaar have suffered a severe blow today as rival suitors Tottenham Hotspur up their bid for the Everton man, according to the Daily Mail. Everton and Chelsea had previously agreed a fee of £3M for Pienaar, a figure Tottenham were reluctant to match (Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was particularly unhappy), but the midfielder and Chelsea have so far failed to agree personal terms, with Pienaar demanding up to £70,000 per week and possibly a regular place in the side.

With the Chelsea deal foundering, Spurs have now matched Everton's asking price and have been given permission to talk to Pienaar, whose contract is up at the end of the season. Although Pienaar is a vital piece for an out-of-sorts Everton side, David Moyes has been forced to sell him in the transfer window or face the prospect of him leaving for free in the summer, leaving Chelsea, or, more likely, Spurs as the beneficiaries. Both London teams would see Pienaar as a squad player, but there would be presumably be more chance for him to make an impact on a slightly weaker Tottenham side.