Evertonians were left a little confused yesterday with Farhad Moshiri’s reported explanation of the club’s deadline day business.
A statement was posted on Twitter by Sky Sports presenter Jim White, however many fans insisted the comments had not come from the Iranian billionaire. The post came just a couple of days after the Sky Sports News Twitter account posted a video in which White said he had received text messages from Moshiri.
The Liverpool Echo understand the statement was given to the presenter by Farhad Moshiri himself.
In the statement Everton’s majority investor suggested the club chose not to pursue a deal for Moussa Sissoko because they wanted to ensure James McCarthy’s place at Goodison Park.
The Blues had a £30m offer for Sissoko accepted by Newcastle United before Wednesday night’s transfer window closed only for the French international eventually opting to join Tottenham Hotspur.
The statement read: “Sissoko is a great player. 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 jeopardise his place at Everton. We wish Sissoko the best.”
McCarthy was subject to transfer rumours linking the Scotsman to Celtic, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Leicester City and Crystal Palace. Everton boss Ronald Koeman though has insisted on a few occasions that the Republic of Ireland midfielder was not for sale.