Everton are ready to open new contract talks with striker Louis Saha.

The Times says Everton will open contract talks with Saha in the new year in a bid to end any chance of the Frenchman leaving the club on a free transfer next summer.

Besiktas, the Turkish club, were interested in signing the 31-year-old forward in the close season only for David Moyes, the Everton manager, to make it clear that Saha was not for sale. But with his two-year contract due to expire next August, Saha would be entitled to speak to clubs interested in signing him from January.