Everton owner Moshiri explains Sissoko pullout
A day after Moussa Sissoko shunned Everton to join Tottenham, Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri has conceded that the club pulled out of the deal as a show of loyalty to midfielder James McCarthy.
With widespread reports suggesting that Sissoko was on the verge of a switch to Goodison Park in an 11th-hour move, Tottenham pounced on the opportunity, signing the French international from Newcastle to a £30-million deal.
Related: Tottenham hijacks Everton's deal, makes 11th-hour signing of Sissoko
On the surface, it would appear as if Everton was beaten to the punch by the north Londoners, though Moshiri concedes that his side actually pulled out of negotiations.
"Sissoko is a great player. But when I bought into Everton, I made it clear I was proud to join a family," a statement from Moshiri explained.
"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."
McCarthy, who has started two of Everton's three Premier League fixtures under new manager Ronald Koeman, has been a mainstay with the club since joining from Wigan in 2013-14. The Ireland international has made no fewer than 28 appearances in each of his three previous seasons at Goodison Park.
Related: Everton signs Enner Valencia on loan after missing out on Sissoko
Whether Moshiri is being genuine, or his statement is an attempt to save face after a high-profile move for Sissoko collapsed, the owner's concessions are just the latest twist in one of the transfer window's most peculiar stories.
With personal terms agreed upon and a private jet en route to collect Sissoko for a medical, the 27-year-old shut off his phone as Tottenham matched Everton's exorbitant fee.
While hijacking another club's transfer target is not an unusual phenomenon in football, the circumstances surrounding Sissoko's move to White Hart Lane do have the makings of a bamboozling. Even so, Moshiri pairs his calculated words with a message of goodwill for the pacey French winger.
"We wish Sissoko the best."