Gosling leaves Everton on free transfer

England Under-21 midfielder Dan Gosling has rejected a new deal with Everton and has left the club as a free agent.

The Premier League decided Everton are not entitled to a fee for the out-of-contract player as they failed to give him a written offer before mid-May.

BBC Sport understands the Merseysiders made an improved offer of a two-year deal to the 20-year-old last week.

Everton are surprised by his decision as they believe Gosling had indicated he was ready to accept the new deal.

The club could have received as much as £4m in compensation for the versatile youngster at a tribunal had he moved to another Premier League club while under contract to Everton.

It is thought chairman Bill Kenwright made verbal offers to the player, but failed to put that in writing in time and so the league ruled that Gosling, who signed from Plymouth two-and-a-half years ago, could leave Goodison on a free transfer.

The club regarded the contractual offer made by manager David Moyes last week - which would have almost doubled Gosling's wages - as a generous one.

Gosling, who has made 22 appearances for the Toffees since joining in January 2008, is said to have wanted greater assurances of first-team football.

The Merseysiders, who have the right to appeal the Premier League decision, are deeply disappointed and unhappy with the player's decision, especially as over the past four months they have overseen his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Gosling, whose most celebrated moment in an Everton shirt came in February 2009 when he scored a dramatic late winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup, is still recovering from knee ligament surgery following a collision with Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann in March.

Newcastle and West Ham have been linked with the midfielder, who is expected to be out of action for another four months.

In a statement, the Premier League said an independent hearing was held last week to decide Gosling's contractual status.

"Having looked into the matter, and considered the arguments of both Everton FC and the player, it was determined that the player is unattached and entitled to a free transfer," it said.

"This is subject to a right of appeal by Everton FC which must be brought within 14 days of the decision."

BBC SPORT