FOR QUITE A while on Wednesday, it seemed Everton were closing in on the capture of Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle.
At about 7pm, the deal seemed to have been done with agreement reached between both clubs and the player himself.
At the time, it didn’t seem like good news for Irish international James McCarthy. Struggling to feature in his preferred central midfield position since Ronald Koeman’s arrival, now he’d have to compete with another, expensive acquisition.
Talk of a loan move elsewhere was reignited, though his recent groin injury surely made a switch pretty difficult.
But, then everything changed. According to reports, Sissoko never arrived on Merseyside, despite Everton having arranged a private jet. He wasn’t answering his phone.
And then, they were made aware the French international was in London and about to sign for Tottenham.
That deal with Spurs was confirmed before the deadline closed and Everton were left reeling by Sissoko’s behaviour.
But, they’ve attempted to save some face by suggesting they dropped out of the race to sign Sissoko because the deal was set to ‘jeopardize’ McCarthy’s place at Everton.
“Sissoko is a great player”, the club’s majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, said in a statement sent to Sky Sports’ Jim White.
“But when I bought into Everton, I made it clear I was proud to join a family. And we don’t turn our backs on our own. Keeping James McCarthy was a priority and ultimately, we could not proceed with a deal that would jeopardize his place at Everton. We wish Sissoko the best.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
