NICK BARMBY'S brief sojourn with Middlesbrough will end this morning with a transfer to Everton.

Only 14 months after his much-trumpeted arrival on Teeside from Tottenham Hotspur, the England international striker will depart, a disillusioned, if somewhat richer young man.

Barmby ii the first player of elevated profile to pay the price for Middlesbrough's rapid and rather improbable transformation from humble club to a footballing league of many nations.

Following the signings of such luminaries as Italy's Fabrizzio Ravenelli and the Brazilian pair Juninho and Emersen, Barmby swiftly sliped down the Middlesbrough pecking order. His sale for a fee of £5.75 million - just £500,000 more than Middlesbrough paid for him in August last year - comes at a time when he is unable to command a regular first-team place.

In opting to become the most expensive player in Everton's history, Barmby has missed out on the opportunity to join their Merseyside rivals, Liverpool, the club he supported throughout, his childhood.

Conversely, Everton manager Joe Royle was able to make such a promise and Barmby will make his debut in next Monday night's televised Premiership meeting with Coventry City at Goodison Park.

The signing of Barmby is unlikely to signal the end of Everton's pre-Christmas investment programme. Next week, once the Queens Park Rangers board of directors has met to consider his written transfer request, Royle will renew his attempts to sign the England Under-21 international winger Trevor Sinclair, who is valued at £5 million.