Everton to make hefty profit as player exodus continues

Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley is to turn his loan spell at Watford into a permanent move at the end of the season.

Cleverley joined the Hornets on a six-month loan in January with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Watford have now exercised that option and the midfielder will sign a five-year contract at Vicarage Road on July 1.

The fee is officially undisclosed but believed to be in the region of £8m, a substantial profit for Everton given the player joined on a free transfer when his Manchester United contract expired in 2014.

Cleverley made 42 appearances for Everton but struggled to hold down a regular place in the side.

He was often deployed in several positions and never really settled in one. He was a favourite under Roberto Martinez but it quickly became obvious he was surplus to requirements under Ronald Koeman.

By all accounts Cleverley has performed well in a Watford shirt, a club where he previously spent time on loan in 2009-10. It therefore seems like a move that suits all parties.