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Bilyaletdinov set for Moscow return

Deal 'in principle' agreed, negotiations continue

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's frustrating spell in England is about to end with a return to Russia after Spartak Moscow confirmed that a deal has been reached in principle with Everton.

A statement from the club announced that the player's move will be completed following a medical this week. According to Everton, no fee has been agreed yet. The player is expected to fly out today (Tuesday) to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms.

The player?s father, Rinat, has told Russian news network RIA Novosti that Bilyaletdinov has been desperate to secure a move in order to secure a place in Russia?s Euro 2012 squad.

?The situation at Everton has reached the point where he has to leave,? he said. ?Diniyar has wanted to leave for six months.

?I don?t think he had a choice, especially with Euro 2012 coming up, where he needs to reach a point where he is guaranteed to play.?

Bilyaletdinov senior was also critical of the way Everton manager David Moyes utilised his son, suggesting that forcing him to contribute to defensive duties limited his effectiveness.

?In terms of his creativeness Diniyar has stagnated,? Bilyaletdinov said. ?The same thing happened to Mikel Arteta.

?I don?t want to question Moyes? qualifications, but if he?d got more out of his defensive players, then his creative players wouldn?t have dropped off so much in recent years.?

Bilyaletdinov signed from neighbouring Lokomotiv Moscow for £9m two and a half years ago and made a promising start to life at Everton scoring some important goals.

His second season was less than stellar, however, and he found first-team opportunities harder to come by. Struggling to adapt to the physicality and pace of the English game, the Russian international was unable to displace Stephen Pienaar from left midfield and has been out of favour since the South African's departure for Tottenham Hotspur leaving him in limbo ahead of this summer's European Championships.

With most of his goals and international success coming from a central attacking midfield position, many Everton fans were frustrated that the 26 year-old wasn't given more opportunities in his favoured role.

A move to Wolfsburg seemed on the cards this month but the Bundesliga side failed to follow up their interest in Bily and Spartak have now stepped in to bring the midfielder back home.

Quotes or other material sourced from Sky Sports

• Everton confirm Spartak talks

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