Ball in Tiagos court

Rumour Mill: Tiago Mendes could become Everton's long-awaited first signing of the summer if they can overcome the player's reluctance to return to England after being labeled a flop in his brief spell with Chelsea.

The Blues have reportedly beaten Newcastle United to the chase and struck a deal with Juventus to take the Portuguese midfielder on loan for a year, covering his £500,000-a-year wages, with an option to make the move permanent next summer for a final fee of £8m.

Tottenham apparently came to similar terms with the Italian giants in January but the 27 year-old reje