Everton have accepted an offer from Premier League rivals Tottenham for star midfielder Steven Pienaar.
The 28-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has been expected to leave Goodison Park in either the January transfer window or at the end of the season.
The Toffees have decided to cash-in on Pienaar to avoid losing the player for nothing in the summer, and the Merseyside club have now accepted an offer from Chelsea and an improved bid from Spurs.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “Everton can confirm they have agreed terms with Tottenham over the possible transfer of Steven Pienaar.”
Despite his future being the subject of much speculation, Pienaar has continued to be a top performer for the Toffees this season and while his departure will be a huge loss to David Moyes, goalkeeper Tim Howard has backed the manager to unearth another star to replace the South African.
The American told the Daily Mirror: “Steven has been our engine for the last couple of years. There is no hiding from that. He has been our star player.
“But my feeling, having been at this club for so long, is that we just get on with it. We don't dwell on things.
“The gaffer David Moyes is really shrewd. He found Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar.
“There will be another. That's just the way it is here at Everton.”