Moyes: Rooney worth 'top price'

Everton manager David Moyes today insisted Newcastle would have to significantly increase their offer if they wanted to prise Wayne Rooney away from Goodison Park.

The Merseyside club rejected a £20m (€29.7m) offer for the England striker from the Magpies on Monday night and apparently value him nearer the £30m (€44.6m) mark.

Despite Everton’s dire financial situation, Moyes made it clear to Newcastle manager Bobby Robson that Rooney would not be allowed to leave on the cheap.

Moyes told the Liverpool Echo: “We don’t want to lose Wayne but if we do the only way is at the top price and the value we want.

“I would like to quote Bobby Robson’s words: ’You’re talking about buying the most exciting, brilliant young player in Europe’.

“If that is what Sir Bobby thinks then he has got to pay the most exciting and brilliant price because his current valuation is well short.

“Didier Drogba went to Chelsea for £24m (€35.7m) so Wayne’s price should be well more than that.

“He is English and if you want to buy English you have to pay a higher premium.

“We don’t want to lose Wayne but if we do the only way is at the top price and the value we want.”