Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Moyes expects Fellaini value

02 Sep 2008 - 14:45:00

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Everton manager David Moyes has defended his decision to spend a club record fee on Marouane Fellaini after insisting the Belgium midfielder will offer value for money.

The Toffees sealed a £15million swoop for the Standard Liege youngster on transfer deadline day in a surprise late move.

But Moyes has denied claims that the 20-year-old was a panic buy following a frustrating summer in the transfer market and that the Goodison Park club paid over the odds for his signature.

"Our interest hasn't only just materialised, we've been chasing him for two years and keenly watched his development," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"Recent games have shown what he's all about and the hard part has been getting him here.

"We initially made contact with Standard two weeks ago, but then we drew them in the UEFA Cup and that really complicated things.

"It's taken some long, hard negotiations to get him. Standard had made it clear that under no circumstances did they want to sell him, but we were desperate to sign him and it took a real big effort from the board and the chairman to get there.

"I've always wanted to buy players who are good value and get a return on our investment.

"I know it's a record fee, but he's going to be here for a long time, like most of the boys that we've brought to the club."