Everton have lost out on up to £4 million for England U21 star Dan Gosling after an administrative error allowed the midfielder to walk away for nothing.
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Gosling stunned Everton by walking out of the Merseyside club as a free agent despite a £15,000 a week contract offer.
And his decision was a double blow for the Merseyside club: an administrative error saw them fail to make Gosling an official written offer, meaning that they will miss out on a tribunal fee should he move to a rival Premier League club.
The 20-year-old, signed from Plymouth Argyle in 2008, rejected the two-year deal and the Premier League has ruled that he is free to leave the club for nothing after the error.
Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright made a verbal offer to Gosling without putting anything in writing, and the highly-rated midfielder indicated that he was likely to sign.
But, after newly-promoted Newcastle United reportedly expressed an interest in his services, Gosling has opted to leave Goodison Park as a free agent, despite facing the first four months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Everton will lose out on up to £4 million likely compensation because of the failure to formally offer Gosling a new deal.
Officials at the club, who finished eighth last season, insist they had made a gentleman's agreement with Gosling, as had been the case in the past with Wayne Rooney and Jack Rodwell - but a Premier League investigation ruled in his favour.
Gosling, who can also play in defence, is thought to have deliberately stalled contract talks because he wants first team football in his preferred central midfield position.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07072010/58/premier-league-gosling-walks-everton.html
