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Speaking to the media before Everton’s Premier League season opener against Stoke City on Saturday, manager Ronald Koeman was expectedly asked about where things stood with the Gylfi Sigurdsson transfer.
Koeman said that rumours that the deal between the Toffees and Swansea City had collapsed were untrue, and that negotiations were continuing.
When asked if he thought the deal could be thrashed out before or during this weekend, the Dutchman clarified that was not his role and that the Board were involved in the discussions.
“I heard some rumours it has broke down. That is not the case, we are still in negotiations. It is always a game between the selling club and buying club, but we are close and let’s hope we get an agreement as soon as possible.
“Soon is okay, I spoke about really soon and it was last weekend. Let’s wait.”
via Liverpool Echo
Earlier, Swans manager Paul Clement was asked about Sigurdsson during his press conference, and he added that the two teams would need to meet in the middle.
Paul Clement says talks ongoing over Glyfi Sigurdsson: "The way it is going there needs to be a compromise on both sides." #EFC
— Patrick Boyland (@Paddy_Boyland) August 10, 2017
Koeman also tried to be realistic with expectations for the season, saying that the Blues did not have the firepower to improve much upon last season’s performances. He went on to add that if he was able to get the players in that he wanted ahead of the transfer window closing then the club would be stronger than last season.
He played down chances of breaking into the top six, saying it would take one or two of those clubs to falter to really be able to get in there.