However, I assume that EFC let his contract, or lack of it, run out due to the severity of his knee issues, then if it looked too bad, they could simply drop him. Although I am sure they could have put a clause in the contract or have insurance against the player.

It's too easy to attack the player on this issue, maybe he is a greedy so and so, I don't know... but it is too easy to jump to conclusions? Also, remember the problems that Stubbs had with EFC and his contract?

I'd be interested to hear the club's version.

Second issue ? the club's silence: either they are embarrassed by the cock-up, but everyone knows that the debate will rumble on so silence does not work ? or they were worried about the injury and have played a game. Whichever, I agree a statement would help.

With Sturridge's contract at Manchester City expired, he signed for Chelsea on a four-year contract on 3 July 2009. As Sturridge is under the age of 24 and the two sides were unable to agree a deal, the fee for Sturridge was decided by a tribunal. The Professional Football Compensation Committee decided on 14 January 2010, that Chelsea would pay an initial fee of £3.5 million with additional payments of £500,000 after each of 10, 20, 30 and 40 first-team competitive appearances. There will also be a further payment of £1 million if the player makes a full international appearance, and Manchester City will receive 15 per cent of any sell-on fee if Sturridge is transferred.

A dodgy kopite reporter in an extremely dodgy chav Sunday newspaper prints an agent's sob story to deflect stick that may (or may not as I don't give a monkey's about Dan Gosling anymore) be directed at his client and it must be true as Everton's management are the anti-christ and must be in the wrong!

Good luck to, Dan and I hope for his sake that he can once again climb aboard the gravy train. Should that not happen, he can at least look back on a very rewarding stint as a player.

Also, no club, not one, would have made a bid for him (in his current state), nor would have gone to a tribunal (Sturridge already mentioned, and don't forget Garbutt's verdict too). So what would Everton have gained by offering him a 2-year extension deal? Nothing, because he could be totally finished, or forever eighth or ninth midfield choice.

Secondly, Newcastle, or whoever, have taken a gamble on what the injury has made possible ? namely the acquisition of a decent and promising youngster with PL experience, but with a big question-mark. The payoff is a lack of fee. As I said, put a fee or a tribunal appearance into the equation and no-one's interested, no-one at all!

Thirdly, Gosling (and agent) have a future, both financial and possibly footballing, with a decent club (let's be fair?) without a pecking order that leaves him trailing near the end.

The injury is clearly the catalyst here and it changed everything. For good or bad for EFC? Time will tell, but have we in fact dodged a bullet with the 'cock-up', or used hard-headed business acumen (titter ye not) and accepted that a parting was the best way forward?

The club stated that they had offered him a new contract which he had verbally agreed to, the club took him at his word and due to this didn?t feel it necessary to put this in writing. Everton never withdrew this offer.

His existing contract was due to finish on the last day of June and the offer had to be in writing by 21 May, so in the 40 days before his contract expired he never once thought to ask the club about it.

I have look backed over reports on the internet and the first story I can find about this situation is on the 2nd July just 2 days after his contract ran out and there was already talk of him going to Newcastle. Gosling and his agent knew exactly what they were doing.

The fact that Moyes and Kenwright went to the tribunal to argue the toss tells you that the club messed up and wanted to rectify the situation but whatever light you cast on this scenario it doesn't look good. I simply cannot believe that this would happen at Man Utd (although the John Obi Mikel saga comes close).

I'm sad we lost Gosling, he did well for us and had the potential to be a top central midfielder. Time only will tell.

'Chris
Thanks for your email
We are currently making no comment on this situation on the advice of our legal team.
If this does change we will of course use the Club?s official website to inform our supporters.
Regards
Mark

So many people have asked me 'so what went on with Gosling then?' Expecting me to have more of an idea than them as an Everton fan and they look bemused when I say, "I don't know, the club hasn't mentioned it"!