Transfer talk: Everton near Eto’o deal; Leicester City close in on Cambiasso

Samuel Eto'o is close to signing with Everton as a free agent while Leicester City are targeting at least three more additions, including former Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

Samuel Eto'o shown during a Champions League group match with Chelsea last September. Adrian Dennis / AFP / September 18, 2013

Everton

Everton are closing in on a deal for veteran Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o.

Press Association Sport understands the club are in advanced talks with Eto’o, 33, who became a free agent at the end of last season after he was released by Chelsea.

Everton held detailed negotiations with the former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward last week but after those initial discussions the chances of a move to Goodison Park appeared to cool.

However, talks have re-started over a potential two-year deal as manager Roberto Martinez looks to add more firepower to his side with Arouna Kone, back-up to main striker Romelu Lukaku, still to return from a knee injury sustained in October.

Eto’o scored nine times in 21 English Premier League games for Chelsea last season.

He would bring plenty of experience at the highest level, having won the Champions League twice with Barcelona and again with Inter.

Everton have drawn their opening two league games 2-2.

Leicester City

Nigel Pearson vowed Leicester will not be held to ransom as he plots a triple transfer raid.

The manager wants up to three new players and is closing in on signing former Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso on a free transfer.

Leicester lost to Chelsea and drew with Everton in their opening two Premier League games since promotion ahead of Sunday’s home clash against Arsenal.

And Pearson knows he must add to his squad before next Monday’s transfer deadline but admitted he would not pay over the odds.

Ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup visit of Shrewsbury, he said: “It’s proven to be more difficult this window. There is a possibility of inflating prices because there is a need for it but my recommendation on it is ‘don’t do it’.

“We’ve had our fingers burnt in the past with doing deals late in the window.

“I recognise we need one or two extra players but I’m certainly not going to be held to ransom. My advice to the football club is if we can’t get the people we want, I don’t want to pad it out with players who are not the right fit or not good enough.

“There are more hoops to jump through this year but I’m not involved at that level.

“I’m very happy with the players here – the numbers are the issue. We have an interest in a midfield player (Cambiasso) and if we can add another defender and a forward I’d be happy.”

Pearson will turn to youth for their League Cup showdown at the King Power Stadium against the League Two side and his son James is expected to be in the squad.

Danny Drinkwater, Jamie Vardy and Matty James are all out with right-back Pearson, 21, primed for his Leicester bow, although the manager refused to talk up his son.

He said: “We might see younger players, yes, and a few did well in pre-season. There will be a number of changes.

“Is my son in consideration? I don’t know. You’ll have to wait and see. I don’t see why I will make an allowance to talk about him. He had a very good pre-season.”

The elder Pearson started his professional career at Shrewsbury in 1981 and made 181 appearances for Town before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 1987 and believes the Shropshire side helped him to become the player and man he is now.

He added: “I learnt an awful lot in a short period of time. You pick good habits from the senior players you played with.”

MLS

United States World Cup midfielder Jermaine Jones has signed for Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution.

The 32-year-old Frankfurt-born midfielder has played the bulk of his career in the Bundesliga where he featured for Schalke before moving to Turkey’s Besiktas in January.

“Playing with the US national team has given me a great connection with American fans and I’m looking forward to playing in front of them every weekend. I’m ready to get started with the Revs,” said Jones in a statement issued by the club.

Jones played in three friendly games for Germany before switching his allegiance to the United States in 2010 and he has played 46 times for the Yanks.

“We thought Jermaine was the best player for the US in the World Cup and we are excited to welcome him to New England. He is a dynamic player and certain to have a tremendous impact on our team and in our community,” said Revolution investor/operator Jonathan Kraft.

Jones signs for New England under the ‘Beckham Rule’ as a ‘Designated Player’ with a salary mostly outside of the salary cap.

Chicago Fire also tried to sign Jones and under MLS rules a blind draw was held for the player’s rights which was won by New England, the club said.

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