Toffees offer Vogel support

Everton have opened negotiations with Switzerland international Johann Vogel and he is set to arrive on Merseyside to discuss a free transfer.

The former AC Milan midfielder, 30, spent last season in Spain with Real Betis after captaining his country in last summer's World Cup.

Chief executive Keith Wyness told www.evertonfc.com: "We are in negotiations with the player and he will be coming shortly to discuss personal terms with a view to signing a contract."

Vogel enjoyed his most productive spell with PSV Eindhoven, where he helped the Dutch club reach the latter stages of the Champions League before defecting for the San Siro in summer 2005.

He failed to establish himself in Milan and stayed for just a year before becoming a makeweight in the deal which took Ricardo Oliveira from Betis to the Italian giants.

Vogel has 89 caps and also appeared for the Swiss in the European Championships of 1996 and 2004.