Everton offering maestro Premier League return
Following a roller-coaster four seasons since moving away from the Emirates Stadium in 2008, Everton could be ready to hand Alexander Hleb another chance in the Premier League.
The midfielder is a free agent after being released by Barcelona and would be a characteristic purchase for the Toffees, who have become accustomed to surviving on a slim budget.
Hleb was a dazzling playmaker during his three seasons at Arsenal between 2005 and 2008, but experienced a dramatic drop in performance after completing a move to Barcelona in 2010.
The Belarusian international made just 36 appearances for Barća during a four-year stay at the club, going on three loan spells to VFB Stuttgart, Birmingham City and Wolfsburg, in that order.
His luck didn’t fare much better in these moves either and Barcelona decided not to off Hleb a contract extension in Spain, instead just letting the creative midfielder go.
The 30 year-old has shown that on his day, he can be a massive threat for the opposition and provide good ammunition to those playing ahead of him.
David Moyes has been known to get the best out of players with his man-management skills and could be on to a highly economical asset if his luck succeeds with Hleb.
The Merseyside outfit have just nabbed the £5.5m signature of Nikica Jelavic from Rangers and the Croatian international will be looking for all the help he can get in order to start his Goodison Park career the right way.
Hleb’s non-existent price-tag means that the only expenditure for Everton would be the playmaker’s wages, and given his recent bad luck, it’s doubtful Hleb will drive that hard a bargain.
Arsene Wenger showed faith in Hleb when he was under his management and the star made over 125 appearances for the Gunners; something Moyes will hope to replicate should the Scot decide to sign the free agent.
