Gravesen wants new blood at Everton

Everton’s Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen has told manager David Moyes he will not sign a new contract until he sees that the crisis-hit club are making progress in the transfer market.

Moyes has held talks with Gravesen while the squad are in America preparing for two friendlies at Houston, Texas at the end of the week.

Gravesen – who has one year left on his current deal – has assured Moyes that he will not be trying to get away from Goodison Park this summer and will start the season with the club.

But he insists he will not put pen to paper on any new deal with the Merseysiders until their future is more secure.

The news that Everton have dropped their interest in Dutch star Mark van Bommel after the midfielder brushed them aside as “not bigger than my current club PSV” will not have impressed Gravesen.

Moyes told the club website, www.evertonfc.tv: “I have spoken to Thomas about the situation and he told me that he wants to see Everton are making progress.

“But he also said that if we do that he would have no hesitation in staying. It means the ball is in our court and we need to make him think that Everton can compete again.”

Gravesen looks set to make his first appearance of Everton’s pre-season campaign tomorrow evening when they face Mexican outfit Pachuca in the opening game of the Copa de Tejas tournament.

Moyes’ interest in van Bommel emerged before the trip to Texas, and under-fire chairman Bill Kenwright flew to Holland for talks with the player.

But the rejection that has followed underlines Everton’s desperate summer.

Van Bommel said: “I want to move to a larger club and Everton are not larger than PSV.”

Moyes said: “We are disappointed if that is what his feelings are but we will move on and look for players who do want to come to our club.

“We have been there or thereabouts with many players and hopefully when the right one comes along he will choose to join Everton.”