DAVID MOYES believes the collapse of Everton’s Kirkby project could flush out prospective investors as he challenged Liverpool City Council to help find an alternative site for a new ground.
Hopes of moving to a 50,000-seater stadium at Kirkby were dashed earlier this week when the Government opted to reject the planning application following a lengthy consultation.
With no other options readily available, Everton chief executive Robert Elstone has already admitted the club would consider a groundshare with Liverpool.
But Moyes has increased the pressure on council officials to deliver on their previous promise to offer a new site to Everton in the event of Destination Kirkby falling through.
And with Goodison owner Bill Kenwright having made clear the need for investment, Moyes reckons the way is now open for any potential suitors.
"Maybe it’s the time for others who were interested in the club to come forward," said the Everton manager. "If people had been waiting until now, maybe now is the time to come in.
"You wouldn’t buy a house when it was at the full price if you knew in six months you’d get more out of it.
"For any would-be suitors out there, this could be their chance. It’s now clear, people know we’re not going to Kirkby. The chairman has been very open and honest, saying new finances would be good and he’ll talk to anyone who’s interested."
Moyes admits he would "love it" if Everton could construct a plan to redevelop Goodison, but has called on the council to prove they want the club to remain in the city boundaries by finding a new site for a prospective new ground.
"The council didn’t want us to leave, but I am looking forward to seeing what they have recommended we move to," he said. "I’d love it to be Goodison, to see if we could find a way of redeveloping it, but I don’t know if that’s viable.
"But if moving had or does give us a chance of competing against the very big teams, then that might actually enhance our identity.
"The council should now be saying ‘great, Everton aren’t going, come on, we’ll take you and show you what we have’.
"Them asking us to go to them? I thought they were the ones saying we don’t want you to go? Did they go down to Wembley, with Goodison or Kirkby one of the stadiums for 2018? What did they go with? I’m not the CEO but this is me, saying ‘come on then, show us your wares, show is what it is all about’.’’
