Steven Pienaar Representative Frustrated By Negotiations Progress

One of Steven Pienaar's representatives at his Barcelona-based agency Extra Time has questioned whether Everton actually want to keep the South African international at the club. Rob Moore speaking to South African football magazine 'Kick Off' expressed his surprise that Pienaar is the last first team player to have his contract extended.

"You have to ask yourself, 'Does this mean Everton actually want to sell him'? But there is nothing we can do about it. Obviously if he does not sign a new deal before the end of the transfer window on August 31 then the chances of him doing so are greatly reduced because he will be in the last year of his current deal and able to start negotiating with other clubs in January. He would be a very attractive proposition for them on a free at the end of the season.

"But the player has never said that he wants to leave and he is not the kind of person who goes knocking on the manager's door halfway through a contract demanding more money and revised terms. That is why it is frustrating that it is taking so long to sort it out now."

For his part, Pienaar recently created his own account on social media websites Twitter and Facebook where he can engage with fans but has been reluctant to comment on the status of contract negotiations despite pleas from Everton fans and those of Bafana Bafana to sign on the dotted line.

Pienaar is held in high regard in South Africa and is a popular figure with Evertonians (a banner has even been spotted which reads "God is great, Pienaar is better" - a nod towards his celebration when he scored against 'Spurs at White Hart Lane in the 2008/09 season) but it seems that the longer the negotiations go on, the lesser his popularity with Goodison faithful becomes. Unless he signs, that is.