Bilyaletdinov Wolfsburg Bound?

Everton have opened with Wolfsburg over the sale of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, according to reports.

The Guardian have this evening ran a story claiming the want-away midfielder is subject of a £5m bid from the Bundesliga side, though report Everton are said to be holding out for a bid of £7m.

Once considered one of Russia´s hottest prospects, Diniyar emerged from the Locomotiv Moscow youth system in 2004 and quickly set about making himself a household name in Russian Premier League with consistent performances, silky technical skills on the ball and a bullet of a shot from his gifted left foot.

When Everton manager David Moyes decided to take him on in England, many of the games insiders considered the approximate £9m fee to be a smart investment for the club. Indeed, Guus Hiddink – one of the world´s most respected managers – had nothing but praise for the left winger, advising David Moyes that he had snagged a gem of a player.

“I spoke to Guus Hiddink a few times about Dini and he recommended him to me,” explained Moyes to the press upon landing his man.

“He is a very versatile footballer. He can play wide on the left of midfield, but he has also played on the right quite a bit as well.

“Technically he is very good. He has a nice left foot and he has scored a few goals as well.

Two years on, despite flashes of brilliance, Diniyar has failed to sparkle. Fans have many views on why this is – some point to a lack of pace, whilst others point to a lack of overall work ethic which is a must for any player under the guidance of David Moyes. Others argue he´s simply not good enough, with some fans laying the blame squarely at the door of Moyes for mismanaging the Russian; not playing him in his ´natural position´ behind the striker, not giving him a run of games and dropping him as he emerges into a bit of form.

Whatever the reason, it looks as though Diniyar´s disappointing career at Everton is set to come to an end.