Everton's David Moyes not yet sure how to spend £5million McFadden cash
Jan 18 2008
Everton manager David Moyes reluctantly allowed James McFadden to leave for Birmingham this week but he has no ideas yet how he intends to spend the £5million-plus transfer fee he will receive for the player.
The Scotland international has swapped a team pushing for a Champions League place for one fighting to stay in the Barclays Premier League but although Moyes was disappointed to lose the 24-year-old he accepted his reasons for quitting Goodison Park.
And the Toffees boss even praised the player for his honesty and integrity.
“James wanted to play football regularly, although he played quite regularly for us this season,” said Moyes.
“I admire him for that. We are in a time when a lot of players are quite happy to sit back and pick up their money but James wanted to play.
“We gave him a chance to sign a contract, which has been on the table for two or three months, but he didn’t take that option.
“It was disappointing to lose him. I wish him well, he is a great boy. I expect him to do well because he is talented and he has a lot going for him.”
Everton will receive £5million up front with a further £1million dependent on appearances and Moyes was determined to hold out for the best price despite the forward’s obvious desire to seek a new challenge.
“He is worth the money, being a Scotland international, and he is still improving so it was important to get the right price for him,” he said.
“He is very well thought of and I felt that was his value. With a bit of luck it will be close to £6million - it is a good price.”
The Everton boss is not sure how much of McFadden’s transfer fee will be made available to him or whether he will spend it this month.
Having brought Manuel Fernandes in on loan until the end of the season he feels he has enough cover in the squad, although he is currently without Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Steven Pienaar because of the African Nations Cup.
However, Moyes has not ruled out making a move before the transfer window, with Everton having been linked with Chelsea’s midfielder Steve Sidwell and Russia’s Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin.
“I think you are always looking to strengthen. I am quite comfortable with the squad and the players we have got but we are always looking to improve,” he added.
“I don’t know whether we will be delving into the transfer market quite so quickly. We just need to see what we have got available to us.
“We brought Manuel Fernandes in to add to our midfield area but we will keep looking and you never know, there is still a couple of weeks left in the window.”
Moyes takes his side to Wigan on Sunday boosted by the return to training of striker Andrew Johnson - who missed last week’s victory over Manchester City - and midfielder Leon Osman, who has been out since mid-December with a broken toe.
Fernandes has received his international clearance so he is available but there is a slight doubt over full-back Leighton Baines, who has had a painkilling injection in his ankle.
The gaffer is always a bit coy when speaking about players coming in. I have a sneeky suspition we'll bring one more player in.
