FEE AGREED
By: Mark Rowan
Thomas Gravesen will become a Real Madrid player within 24 hours after Everton agreed an undisclosed transfer fee with the Spanish giants.
Official from the Bernabeu made their initial approach on Thursday following days of speculation that Gravesen would be leaving Merseyside.
Intense negotiations continued on Friday morning and a deal is now in place that will end Gravesen's four-and-a-half year spell on Merseyside.
The 28-year-old midfielder will now head to the Spanish capital to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical before putting pen-to-paper.
Chief Executive Keith Wyness told evertonfc.com: “No-one at Everton wanted to lose Thomas Gravesen, we did everything we could to keep him.
“Once it became clear that Thomas had his heart set on a move to Real Madrid we fought hard for the best possible deal for Everton Football Club. To that end I believe we have been successful.”
It was originally believed that Gravesen, who had six months to run on his deal at Goodison, would sign a pre-contract agreement with Real ahead of a possible summer move.
But it became increasingly clear in the last few days that Madrid didn’t want to wait and were keen to secure the services of Gravesen immediately.
The Dane’s agent, John Sivebaek, added: “I can confirm that Real Madrid and Everton have agreed terms for the transfer of Thomas Gravesen.
“The player and myself will be travelling to meet the officials of Madrid in order to discuss his potential move during the course of the next 24 hours.
“No further comment from either Thomas or myself will be made with regard to this matter until such time as we have a definitive position.”
www.evertonfc.com
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El Real Madrid y el Everton han llegado a un acuerdo para el traspaso de Thomas Gravesen al Club blanco. Gravesen jugará en el Real Madrid lo que resta de temporada y tres más. El interncional danés será presentado esta tarde, entre las 20:00 y las 21:00 horas, en el Palco de Honor del Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
www.realmadrid.es