Steven Naismith is to undergo a medical at Norwich City this morning before a proposed £8.5m transfer from Everton.
A deal between the two Premier League clubs was agreed before the transfer window opened but an ankle injury, Roberto Martínez’s initial desire to keep the player during a hectic period and the forward’s wish to consider all available options combined to stall Norwich’s move.
Swansea City have also been linked with the versatile Naismith, who scored a perfect hat-trick in Everton's 3-1 win over Chelsea in September but has made only four Premier League starts this season. However, the lure of regular first-team football under Alex Neil appears to have swayed the 29-year-old towards Carrow Road.
Everton stand to make a decent profit on a player acquired for free amid the collapse of Rangers in 2012. Signed by the former manager David Moyes, Naismith was a valuable asset to Martínez but the development of Gerard Deulofeu, Ross Barkley and others has limited his playing time this season and the Everton manager is prepared to release three players from what he views as a bloated squad. But Martínez is keen to improve his defensive options by winning the race for Leeds United's Sam Byram.
Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson are also available for transfer. McGeady has attracted interest from Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers but is reluctant to move to the Championship on loan.
(Guardian service)
