EVERTON have been warned to sort of Steven Pienaar’s future before this summer’s World Cup or risk losing him.

EVERTON have been warned to sort of Steven Pienaar’s future before this summer’s World Cup or risk losing him.

The South African international has just over a year to run on his current contract but would like to see this deal extended before he joins up with his national team-mates.

While Pienaar’s agent, Ivan Modia insisted his client is happy to remain at Goodison Park, he admitted that clubs hve expressed an interest in prizing the midfielder away from Merseyside.

“At the moment we are looking at every situation and it will be sorted one way or another before the World Cup,” said Modia.

“We have had some interest expressed from clubs in Europe but we haven’t talked to them because everything must go through Everton because he is under contract.

“It is possible (Pienaar could leave) but it is also possible he will stay at the club.

“I am not saying he is leaving the club because that is not true.

“We are in talks but I think it would be disrespectful to Everton [to elaborate] because we have a good relationship with the club.

“Negotiations have been ongoing since the start of the year but it has not been an intense process.

“We are talking and are patient. We are waiting to see what is going to happen behind closed doors.

“What I think is there are two different options. One is to get a new contract but if he did not he would be looking for a solution.

“He goes to the World Cup this summer and that would be a good way for Everton to make money from it.”