Everton transfer news: Tony Bellew stunned after exit deal agreed in ‘can’t believe we’ve let you go’ lament
Tony Bellew “can’t believe” that Everton have let Isaac Price leave the club as the youngster heads to Standard Liege this summer.
The Toffees teenager is heading to Standard Liege at the end of his contract this summer, having agreed a deal last month, with compensation due to be received at Goodison Park [Liverpool Echo, 17 May].
The 19-year-old appeared set for a breakthrough during the winter when he made a first-team appearance off the bench against Brighton (3 January) after being hailed by Frank Lampard during the Australian tour during the World Cup, but was not seen again in the senior side and has chosen to leave for more playing time.
Bellew looks like he wishes the academy product had remained at the club with his message to the youngster on social media.
Commenting on Price’s post on Instagram in which he thanks teammates, staff and fans on his way out of the club, the former WBC cruiserweight champion wrote: “Best of luck mate! Can’t believe we’ve let you go!”
Too late
If there is one area the Everton first-team is stocked with options it is midfield so it was a particularly crowded field for Price to get to the head of.
After Lampard signed three central options last summer it probably put paid to Price’s chances of getting the opportunities he would have wanted to stick around.
Some compensation from the Belgian side will be a small reward for the transaction if the teenager ends up developing into a strong senior player.
Relegation battles are often seen by managers as the worst times to integrate youngsters into the senior side, so the struggles at Goodison Park over the past two seasons haven’t helped demonstrate a pathway.
Anthony Gordon made a major breakthrough but has already been sold, and Ellis Simms looks to be on the brink but Sean Dyche has been cautious.
Even at a real problem position the young striker wasn’t able to get a run in the side, so the hope has to be that a more successful campaign next term will avoid young talents like Price moving on if there is a viable future for them at the club.