27.08.2004 - Traore close to Everton move

---

Djimi Traore is close to completing a move to Everton, after the club agreed a fee with Liverpool for the 23-year-old.

Traore joined Liverpool from Laval for £550,000, but has failed to establish himself in the Reds' first team and now looks set to make the move across Stanley Park after a fee of £1.5million was accepted.

The cost will be paid over a three year period, and the Frenchman will become David Moyes' third summer signing, with the Everton manager delighted at being able to make a further addition to his squad.

"We are pleased a deal to sign Djimi has been agreed subject to a medical," Moyes said, though a second signing from Liverpool looks unlikely despite Everton's recent interest in Steve Finnan.

The Irish full back would have to take a huge pay cut to join up with Traore, and now looks set to remain at Anfield for the time being at least.