EVERTON are close to completing a deal for the teenage German defender Shkodran Mustafi, to the disgust of his present club, Hamburg. (Guardian)The 16-year-old, who was in the Germany Under-17 side who beat their England counterparts 4-0 last week, is believed to have agreed a three-year contract with the Goodison Park club.

EVERTON are close to completing a deal for the teenage German defender Shkodran Mustafi, to the disgust of his present club, Hamburg. (Guardian)

The 16-year-old, who was in the Germany Under-17 side who beat their England counterparts 4-0 last week, is believed to have agreed a three-year contract with the Goodison Park club.

“We really tried to keep Shkodran at our club, but when there is a club from England coming up we are unable and unwilling to compete financially,” said Jens Todt, the head of Hamburg's youth academy.

“It is tough to accept, but it will not destroy us. We are just hoping this is not going to happen too often again.”