Moyes’ joy at Fellaini deal finally completed
The 20-year-old came to wider public attention with two impressive performances for Standard Liege against Liverpool in the recent two-legged Champions League qualifier.
That understandably alerted a host of Europe’s top clubs and even though Everton had already done their groundwork, Liege were insistent they would hold on to their prized asset.
Coach Laszlo Boloni said after his side’s second leg defeat at Anfield: “I have several fine young players but unfortunately they have now performed well against a top Premier League side for everyone to see.
“I want to keep them, I want them at Liege, but I fear we will have bids now. All I can do is pray to the last minute of the deadline in Europe.”
Negotiations had ground to a halt before Moyes boarded a plane in London and headed for talks in Brussels with the club his side, coincidentally, face in the first round of the UEFA Cup.
After a day of intense negotiations with Standard Liege’s vice-president Luciano Donfreo and chairman Reto Stiffler the Toffees finally came to an agreement to sign Fellaini less than an hour before the transfer window closed.
“It was a long day but it all proved worthwhile,” said Moyes, who has broken Everton’s transfer record four times since January 2005.
“Our interest has not only just materialised, we have been chasing him for two years and keenly watched his development.
“Recent games have shown what he is 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 has 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.”
It will be some time before Everton’s players get to meet their new team-mate as Fellaini first has two World Cup qualifiers with Belgium on Saturday in Liege against Iceland and then next Wednesday against Turkey in Istanbul.
And unfortunately, he is not eligible to play for Everton in the UEFA Cup later this month.
“I have always wanted to buy players who are good value and get a return on our investment,” Moyes added.
“I know it is a record fee but he is going to be here for a long time, like most of the boys that we have brought to the club.”
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