Joleon Lescott was last night on the brink of making his dream move to the Premiership after Wolverhampton Wanderers agreed his #5million sale to Everton.
After turning down a #4.5million offer from Reading last week, Everton's extra financial clout has helped them match Wolves' valuation and the former England Under-21 defender was on Merseyside yesterday for his medical.
Lescott is expected to conclude his transfer today, for what will be an initial #4million, with add-ons for future appearances taking it up to equal the #5million Leicester City paid for Ade Akinbiyi in July 2000 as Wolves' second-most expensive sale.
Only Robbie Keane's #6m move to Coventry City seven summers ago will exceed Lescott's fee. What is more, given that Lescott is a product of Chris Evans' flourishing Molineux Academy, it all adds up to total profit for the club.
It is also the move of a lifetime for Birmingham-born Lescott, who was injured for the entire duration of Wolves' one-season stay in the Premiership. His expected departure today will make him the ninth player to leave this summer.
He follows Kenny Miller (Celtic), George Ndah (retired), Jeremie Aliadiere (returned to Arsenal after end of loan), Colin Cameron (refused new contract) and the four players not offered deals - Vio Ganea, Stefan Postma, Darren Anderton and Maurice Ross.
How much of the money will be used for team-strengthening is hard to imagine, however.
