Report: Everton Earmarks Elyaniv Barda As Possible Transfer Recruit

According to reports in today’s Mirror, Everton boss David Moyes is gearing up for his first foray in the January sales, earmarking Israeli international striker Elyaniv Barda as a potential new recruit. Barda is said to be available for around £2 million.

The Toffees’ current options up front are severely limited due to injuries to all of their recognised strikers—Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Louis Saha and James Vaughan. And despite having defied the odds with their recent good form, Evertonians will be encouraged by the news that their club are not resting on their laurels and are looking to improve their squad options as we enter the business end of the season.

As a result, Barda could be a good stop-gap solution for the Merseysiders.

Having the reputation as one of the most professional Israeli footballers around, Barda has already proven capable of adapting to new surroundings have moved from Hapoel Tel Aviv to KRC Genk in Belgium’s Jupiler League back in 2007.

The 5'8" 27-year-old scored 16 goals in 32 appearances for Genk last term, and has so far registered four goals in 16 games this season, as well as chalking up an impressive seven assists. Barda has also scored three goals for the Israeli national team in 12 appearances, not all of them starts.

Crucially Barda is well versed in English, and can play all across the front line, as well as playing the role of the lone striker or in tandem with a striking partner.

Although the Mirror valued Barda at £2 million, it may well be that the striker commands a higher fee than that. Barda is under contract with Genk until the end of the 2012-13 season, and having made a positive impression at his new club they will be reluctant to let their striker leave for less than £4million.

Also affecting the price is interest from other third parties, with reports in Israel linking Celtic with a £3 million bid for Barda just a few weeks ago.

Video footage of Elyaniv Barda can be seen here.