Merseyside row looming as Liverpool eye move for Pienaar
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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez ready to risk wrath of Everton with move for Steven Pienaar
Liverpool are ready to risk the wrath of neighbours Everton with a move for influential midfielder Steven Pienaar.
The skilful South African has emerged as one of the best players in the Premier League but his contract runs out in 14 months and Everton are yet to tie him down to a new deal.
Key figure: Steven Pienaar has emerged as one of the best players in the Premier League
Sportsmail revealed in January that Tottenham and Chelsea were interested in the 28-year-old, valued at about £10million.
Now Liverpool have emerged as strong admirers, despite Everton's reluctance to sell to their fiercest rivals. The Anfield club have been encouraged by news of the unresolved contract talks, although Everton are preparing a new offer that would put Pienaar on a par with their top earners at about £50,000 per week.
Pienaar's agent Ivan Modia said: 'At the moment we are looking at every situation and it will be sorted one way or another before the World Cup.
'We have had some interest expressed from clubs in Europe but we haven't talked to them because everything must go through Everton because he is under contract.
Interesting: Steven Pienaar has also caught the eye of Tottenham and Chelsea
'It is possible (Pienaar could leave) but it is also possible he will stay at the club. I am not saying he is leaving the club because that is not true.
'We are in talks but I think it would be disrespectful to Everton [to elaborate] because we have a good relationship with the club. Negotiations have been ongoing since the start of the year but it has not been an intense process.
'We are talking and are patient. We are waiting to see what is going to happen behind closed doors. What I think is there are two different options. One is to get a new contract but if he did not he would be looking for a solution. He goes to the World Cup this summer and that would be a good way for Everton to make money from it.'
Everton manager David Moyes warned: 'Pienaar is at a club that really suits him and sometimes a player has to decide what is best for him. Everton has been good for Steven. If anybody wanted to leave, they'd be poorer for it.'