I need to know about Wayne - we're in talks and felt they were quite good Everton boss David Moyes

Rooney, 18, has yet to sign a new five-year contract and Moyes said: "It's a terrific challenge I have got but one I am looking forward to conquering.

"I'm optimistic Wayne will remain an Everton player and if that happens we'll fill Goodison again.

"I'm just looking forward to hearing that one word - 'yes'. I'm really hoping that can happen."

He added: "I need to know about Wayne now and we're getting close. We're in talks and felt they were quite good."

With Everton around �30m in debt, the Rooney saga ongoing and five directors quitting in five months, it has been a tough period for the Toffees.

But Moyes is confident he can turn things around and improve on their 17th place in the Premiership last season.

"It's been a long, hard summer but I'm a young man and hopefully if you come out the other side you are better for it," Moyes added.

"I can still live a normal life through all this and strangely enough, now it's all been said and out in the open, it's easier to handle.

"I will not be changing. I will continue to work with the players and we won't allow it to drift."