Moussa Sissoko: Everton co-owner claims club decided against signing Tottenham's new addition

The Merseyside club had an offer for Sissoko accepted but then withdrew their interest

Moshiri, left, with fellow co-owner Bill Kenwright (Getty)

Farhad Moshiri, the co-owner of Everton, has claimed that the club decided against signing Moussa Sissoko because they did not want to jeopardise the future of James McCarthy.

Everton had an offer for Sissoko accepted by Newcastle United before Wednesday’s transfer deadline, but then withdrew their interest after failing to agree personal terms with the midfielder.

It was later reported, however, that Sissoko had spurned Everton after learning of interest from Tottenham Hotspur, who he subsequently joined in a £30m deal.

Everton reportedly issued a private plane to transport Sissoko to Merseyside for a medical, only for the 27-year-old to ignore their phone calls.

In a statement issued to Sky Sports’ Jim White, Moshiri has appeared to refute such reports by stressing that it was the club’s decision not to sign Sissoko.

"Sissoko is a great player,” Moshiri told 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."

McCarthy attracted interest from Celtic, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the summer transfer window, but now appears set to stay at Goodison Park.

Everton endured a difficult ‘deadline day’, missing out on several targets as the club looked to add to Ronald Koeman’s ranks.

Prospective deals for Porto’s Yacine Brahimi and Napoli’s Manolo Gabbiadini failed to materialise, while Deportivo La Coruna’s Lucas Perez was snatched by Arsenal.

Enner Valencia, the West Ham United striker, arrived on an eleventh-hour season-long loan deal, while the club also completed the signing of Sheffield United’s Jonathan Calvert-Lewin for £1.5m.