Source: Daily_Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson misses out on Jack Rodwell: Everton boy wonder pens five-year deal
Everton teenager Jack Rodwell is set to ignore the example of Wayne Rooney by signing a five-year contract this week that will keep him at Goodison Park.[LNB]The news is a huge blow to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who regards 19-year-old Rodwell as the next big thing in English football and a future international star.[LNB]But it will delight Goodison boss David Moyes, who lost Rooney in a £27million deal to United after he starred at Euro 2004 as an 18-year-old.[LNB]Rodwell, primarily a midfielder although he is also comfortable in the centre of defence, has been negotiating for months with Everton as United waited in the wings with a £15m bid. [LNB] Class act: Rodwell (second right) has penned a long-term deal at Goodison[LNB]He has been persuaded by Moyes that regular first-team football at Everton is what he needs for his career to progress and will see his wages increase to more than £20,000 a week.[LNB]Everton can now build a team around the powerful youngster, with Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar facing uncertain futures at the club.[LNB] The future is unwritten: Where will Arteta (left) and Pieenar be playing next season?[LNB]Rodwell scored his first goal for Everton at 17 and has now played more than 50 times for the Goodison club.[LNB]Moyes has said the player could develop into the next Rio Ferdinand, stating: 'He's so comfortable on the ball. He is best in central midfield at the moment but by the time he's 23 or 24, he may be a top centre-half.[LNB]'Rio started in central midfield and eventually moved back. Jack has similar qualities. He's so laid-back, he is horizontal.'[LNB]Signing Rodwell will be seen as key to safeguarding Moyes's future, as he had questioned whether he could take the club forward after eight years in charge. [LNB]Moyes was badly hit by the £24m sale of Joleon Lescott to Manchester City a year ago but Rodwell's decision shows the club have the ambition to reclaim a European spot next season.[LNB] Everton defender Shane Duffy 'recovering well' after life-saving surgeryEverton told to up £8.5m bid for Vertonghen as Liverpool move inEVERTON FC
