Football News : Everton told to pay £1.7m for defender Tavares

By ESPNsoccernet staff

Everton have been told they will have to pay up to £1.7 million if they want to sign highly-rated centre-back Yohan Tavares.

GettyImagesBeira-Mar defender Yohan Tavares (r) linked with exit

France-born Tavares, 23, currently plays for Portuguese Primeira Liga side Beira Mar and has also attracted the attention Bundesliga side Stuttgart and Italian team Palermo.

Everton boss David Moyes was hoping to secure a £500,000 deal for the defender but has been told he will have to pay much more if he wants to sign Tavares in the January transfer window.

"He will only leave if a club pays the clause. We are not willing to ne gotiate," a club source told talkSPORT.

The £1.7 million clause in his contract allows Tavares to leave Beira Mar if he is wanted by a team from one of Europe's top leagues.

The defender is thought to be keen to secure a move to the Premier League but will not force through a transfer.

"I'm calm and will wait for news in the coming weeks," Tavares said.

Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract. The 18-yera-old has made four starts and three substitute appearances this season and has impressed in Everton's first team.