STEVEN PIENAAR’S hopes of signing a permanent deal at Everton have not been dashed – despite the emotional midfielder admitting he said farewell to fans after the 3-1 win over Newcastle.
The 30-year-old’s loan spell at Goodison expired on Sunday after scoring his third goal since returning in January, and as he officially became a Tottenham Hotspur player again, Pienaar posted a series of melancholy messages on social networking site Twitter. He also revealed that it had been difficult to say farewell to supporters, and even fought back tears as he discussed his successful loan spell at the club he originally joined in 2007.
‘The last few months was the best months in my entire career,’ he wrote. ‘God Bless You Guys. Wana thank all the Everton supporters for making me feel at home was a very sad day for me yesterday’.
In a separate interview, the South Africa international added: “The supporters deserved this. In the second half of the season the guys were fantastic. I’m just glad I was part of it, and we’ll see what will happen in the future.
“It’s hard. The first time I left I didn’t say goodbye, and this time around it’s a bit sad. We’ll see what happens in the summer.”
That led to speculation that Pienaar had been informed a deal to remain at Everton was unlikely, but the ECHO understands that is not the case. Instead, the situation remains in the balance, as the Goodison hierarchy face a complex task if they are to fulfil David Moyes’ summer priority of retaining the midfielder’s services.
Everton must first agree a price with Spurs for the player they sold to them for £3m in January 2011.
Pienaar’s eye-catching performances since returning to Goodison could lead Spurs to drive his price up higher, or even attempt to cash-in further by encouraging an auction for their coveted playmaker.
Everton’s financial situation could make it difficult for them to match an inflated fee for a 30-year-old, although they have already signalled how highly they rate Pienaar by paying his £70,000-a-week wages since January.
The player’s preference to remain at Everton should be influential, but the situation could yet be further complicated if Chelsea win the Champions League on Friday, meaning Spurs will not qualify for the tournament next season.
That in turn could mean the departures of high profile White Hart Lane stars like Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, meaning Harry Redknapp might re-think his options and make Pienaar, who he previously restricted to just 10 appearances, a part of his first-team plans.
Whatever happens, Pienaar has enjoyed his return to Merseyside. “I think it went well,” he said. “I’m pleased with myself – don’t forget I didn’t play much in first half of the season and the only way I could pay the manager and the supporters was by performing. I think I did well.
“I think for the next few months the club and supporters will have the pride of Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, Everton have appealed against Tim Cahill’s sending off in the final moments of the victory over Newcastle. If that appeal fails, Everton could be without the 32-year-old for the first three games of the 2012/13 campaign.
