Toffees transfer list Xavier

Xavier's advisors have been locked in talks with The Toffees for months over a new deal but have failed to come up with an agreement and the result was him being listed.

With Xavier available on a free transfer at the end of the season, Everton have acted now in an attempt to get some cash in return for him.

Everton manager Walter Smith told the club's official website: "The club and Abel have failed to reach agreement on a new contract - the club having offered a new three-year contract and Abel turning down the offer that was made.

"Negotiations have broken down recently, so what the club have decided to do, with the agreement of the player, is to place him on the transfer list immediately.  That will mean he will be available to move at any time if a club comes in for him.

"His freedom of contract does not come into effect until the end of June, so therefore there would have to be compensation paid.

"With the size of the pool of players we have it will be a blow to us, but that is football at the moment.  The Bosman ruling allows players to leave clubs at the end of their contracts.

"If they can't re-negotiate a contract, as has happened in this situation, then all clubs face the problem of players leaving.

"Our own situation at the present moment means that is going to happen to Abel and we will just have to wait and see whether he leaves sooner rather than later."