Everton and QPR meet to thrash out Nikica Jelavic transfer deal ⢠Harry Redknapp out to beat West Ham to striker ⢠Jelavic's World Cup hopes depend on first-team football Share 11 inShare.0 Email Andy Hunter The Guardian, Friday 3 January 2014 22.30 GMT Nikica Jelavic in action for Everton Everton's Nikica Jelavic will be available to play against QPR in the FA Cup despite Rangers' interest in signing the striker. Photograph: Paul Thomas/Getty Images Queens Park Rangers will hold talks over a deal for Nikica Jelavic with Everton on Saturday as Harry Redknapp looks to beat his former club West Ham United to the signing of the Croatia international. QPR are one of several clubs to have inquired about the 28-year-old, whom Everton are prepared to release on a permanent transfer providing the manager, Roberto MartÃnez, lands a replacement. Everton have received only proposed loans for Jelavic so far but QPR and West Ham are willing to pay an initial £3.5m and, with the Championship club at Goodison Park in the FA Cup third round, QPR officials will pursue their interest in the striker. "They have asked but there is nothing concrete," MartÃnez said. "We have had a few clubs ask about Nikica and Johnny Heitinga because I made it public. Teams have been really interested in two players of their experience and want to find out about the situation. I think when people realise Niki is not going to be available on loan that changes things." MartÃnez says Jelavic will be available for selection against his prospective employers despite being aware of interest from Redknapp, who tried to sign the striker before he joined Everton for £5m from Rangers in January 2012. MartÃnez said: "I'm sure he knows because these days the players are the first to find out. It won't change his motivation if he plays. It would be very cynical to think that he would not want to knock the team out of the Cup. It's different when there is a firm bid on the table but we're not in that situation. There have been a few clubs asking about him, a few from abroad and a few from the British game." Hamburg have also inquired about Jelavic but are understood to favour a move in the summer, whereas the striker needs regular football to secure a place in Croatia's World Cup squad. The forward has struggled to recreate his impressive impact at Everton when he scored 11 goals in 14 games. He lost his place this season to the on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku but with Arouna Koné expected to miss the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury, MartÃnez is adamant Jelavic will not be sold without a replacement on board. "That would be the case with Arouna injured," he said. "Niki will never go out on loan because it would leave us totally open and we cannot replace him in that respect. He's a big asset and, if we are allowing him to move, it's out of respect to his career and what he has done for us. He needs to play to go to the World Cup and I accept that but it has to be the right terms for the club. I wouldn't let the squad be weakened just to satisfy an individual." Everton have scouted the Standard Liège striker Michy Batshuayi but MartÃnez believes the 20-year-old is not ready for the Premier League. He said: "We are clear in what we need. It's someone who can fit in straight away with the physicality of the Premier League and can adapt quickly."
Jelavic for Zamora? (sorry - I couldn't get the smiley face to appear - of course i know that Everton aren't that daft)
Odimwingie came on as a sub against us in the WBA replay last year didn't he? And look what happened to him!
Jelavic?? the bloke who cant get anywhere near evertons starting line-up and is devoid of confidence? we need a proven forward who can get us some much needed goals,not a player who looked good in the joke which is scottish football!! im hoping this article is wide of the mark,just lijke Jelavic's shooting!!
The 2nd placed teams best player is a bloke on loan from Rotherham, that tells you all you need to know about the standard up there. Its L1 and L2, even Celtic would be in the bottom half of the championship. A very average Commons has got 14 goals for them.
When it was talked about getting him last time, I could hardly contain my indifference.....Suffice to say my opinion hasn't changed . I still hope to proven wrong and at this level he can score for fun
We do seem to be very happy with short term solutions. I think Jelavic would be great buy for a championship club but if we do get promoted how many of our current squad are ready for the premier league?
He has not done much of late but Jelavic scoed a lot for Everton when he first joined them, and in Austria and Glasgow, and for Croatia. Perhaps Arry can help him rediscover that form.
Not sure why West Ham would want him - hardly a reliable source of goals given the shaky position they're in
I wouldn't mind him as he is a natural goal scorer just needs to rediscover his form. Having said that Daddy would not allow it as it was his Dad that told him to go to Everton as we were too small a club.
I actually think that he could be a good signing till the end of the season. He was very good when he first joined Everton and he would probably look pretty good in this division.
Can I just mention that I was telling everyone that Zamora was crap long ago when most were still saying that he was a good player.............just thought I'd mention it!!
