Source: Liverpool_Echo
Luke Garbutt worth every penny say Everton who are told to pay up to £1million to Leeds
EVERTON today insisted the money they have been forced to pay for hot prospect Luke Garbutt will prove to be well spent.
A tribunal of the Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee last night decided in London that the Blues had to shell out an initial £600,000 to Leeds United following Garbutt’s summer move from Elland Road.
That figure was significantly more than Everton anticipated, particularly as they had initially offered £200,000 for the 16-year-old defender, who is an England youth international and considered as someone for the future.
The panel - which was made up of representatives from the Football League, Premier League, PFA and FA - clearly came at the wrong time for Everton, given the recent furore surrounding Chelsea and their case with French teenager Gael Kakuta.
There have been several other situations in the last couple of days regarding young players being lured away by bigger clubs and it is Everton’s misfortune that they have ended up being forced to foot a hefty bill.
That, though, is not something they are going to dwell on as if they end up having to pay the final figure - which is closer to £1.55m if clauses for honours, appearances and international caps are triggered - it will mean Garbutt has been a huge success.
Garbutt is not considered ready to be involved with Everton’s first team yet but he is certainly a young man with potential and he will be given time to mature at the club’s Finch Farm Academy.
Academy director Ray Hall said today: “This is very much a transfer for the future for Everton. It’s not an uncommon move to make – many Premier League clubs invest in young talent with a view to nurturing and developing them.
