Moyes outlines value of European football in the transfer market

EVERTON manager David Moyes admits the lure of European football remains a big draw for players when responding to Francis Jeffers’ suggestion that the Blues’ move to their new stadium could eliminate the need to sell their best young talent.

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

Jeffers was one of the many former Blues paraded on the pitch following Goodison Park's final Premier League fixture on May 18.

Jeffers, who departed Goodison before his 21st birthday to sign for Arsenal in an £8million transfer in 2001, believes the financial benefits of the club's relocation to the Mersey waterfront can prevent such moves from happening in the future.

He said: “We shouldn't be selling our best young players and hopefully we don’t have to now.”

Unlike another Scouser across Stanley Park, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who won a treasure trove of major honours with Liverpool before departing for Real Madrid, many of Everton's bright young talents like Wayne Rooney, Jeffers and more recently Anthony Gordon - who joined Newcastle United for £45million in January 2023 - have left early on in their careers.