The Echo article comes across as very unfair on Gosling.
From what I've heard Gosling wanted assurances that he would play more often and in a central position (not so much the money - £15k a week although was probably miffed that Rodwell was given 20k rising to 40k). The club couldn't agree to it and Gosling felt he'd need to leave to play more first team football. As Gosling is under 24, the issue of compensation was referred to the PFCC (premier league and football league tribunal body) as per normal procedure. PFCC ruled that EFC didn't offer a proper contract and as per Premier League rules Gosling is free to leave with no compensation owed to EFC.
Hardly dragging the issue to the tribunal as the Echo suggested. In my opinion, the Everton administration staff messed up here but the club's official line is that the verbal contract offer was based on "mutual trust". EFC have been caught with their pants down here, embarrassing for the people involved but it isn't the end of the world. It could have been worse.