EVERTON face an increasingly fraught fight to prevent Louis Saha from walking away from the club for nothing at the end of the season.

The Goodison outfit have opened talks with Saha over a new contract, with his current two-year deal due to expire in the summer.

If no agreement is reached by the New Year, the 31-year-old striker would be able to open talks with any interested foreign clubs.

Reports originating in France have suggested Roma, Bordeaux and Atletico Madrid are all tracking Saha, who has netted 11 goals this season despite a nagging calf problem that is likely to once again consign him to bench duty in today’s encounter at Premier League leaders Chelsea.

And Moyes appeared downbeat yesterday when pressed on Saha’s situation.

“His contract is up at the end of the season, so he could speak to foreign clubs in January,” said the Everton manager. “We have been speaking to him. We’re happy with him and we’d like to keep him here.”

Of Saha’s fitness concerns, Moyes added: “He has been complaining about a calf strain and has not felt 100% fit. We have been dotting him in and out to see where he can play.

“He came off the bench a few times last season, like against Fulham where he won us the game, and it got him off and running. Stepping back and being on the bench can help him get back to full fitness and flying again.”

With Saha not fully fit, Yakubu due for African Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria next month and both Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan sidelined, Moyes is keen to bolster his strikeforce and is close to agreeing a three-month loan deal for United States international Landon Donovan.