Exclusive - Neville Southall warns Everton: Sell players and you'll lose David Moyes

Neville Southall believes Everton can’t afford to sell any players during the January transfer window – as it could mean losing David Moyes.

The Toffees manager has postponed his own contract talks until February and has admitted that the club’s ability to hold onto its big stars will influence his final decision.

And former Goodison Park favourite Southall claims the club should prove to the Scot that they are fully behind his vision for the Merseyside club.

“If they buy, that will match his ambitions, if they sell then it won’t,” he told Tower FM. “It’s a little bit of posturing and him wanting to get his way but it’s important that people back him and don’t sell. If they sell players and don’t bring people in then it gives the wrong signals to the fans.”

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Moyes could be his eventual successor at Man United but, with the Red Devils boss in no mood to retire, it could be some time before the Old Trafford hotseat becomes available.

And Southall insists that there aren’t any clubs currently looking for managers who could be considered a step up for Moyes.

“Moyes has got to have somewhere else to go to. The other top clubs have all got managers so anywhere he goes from Everton, at the moment, would be a step down.”