Gravesen’s Real move is huge blow for Moyes
Moyes revealed that the Denmark midfielder found the attraction of the Spanish giants impossible to resist.
Gravesen will now join David Beckham and Michael Owen at the Bernabeu, providing he passes a medical.
Everton will pick up £2.45million for the 28-year-old, whose contract was due to expire in the summer.
The club will also collect 20% of any sell-on fee and have been given first refusal on Gravesen in a special buy-back clause.
Moyes said: “We did not want to lose Tommy and we could have turned round and said no.
“But with six months to go on his contract, this is the best we could get out of the current situation. It is not something we wanted to happen, that is for sure.
“There was great hope of keeping him because of how well the team had done and the progress we had made.
“But when Real Madrid came in I don’t think there was any chance of keeping him.
“When things started to gather a bit of momentum we spoke regularly to Tommy about it and he wanted to go. That was it. It is a great opportunity for him.”
Gravesen, who joined the club from Hamburg in 2000, left the training ground at midday en route to Madrid after saying goodbye to players and staff.
He secured his dream move after some impressive displays for the high-flying Merseysiders this season.
Moyes said: “Tommy would be the first to say the team have been terrific and about how much they have helped him.
“Good luck to him. It is not often Real Madrid come knocking on your door.
“A lot was made of David Beckham and Michael Owen going there. Why should Tommy not feel the same way as them?”
Everton chief executive Keith Wyness believes the club have got the best possible deal for a player with six months left on his contract.
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