Everton move was never on the cards, insists Sissoko

Rob Conlon

New Tottenham signing Moussa Sissoko insists he never considered a switch to Everton on deadline day.

The France midfielder completed a £30million switch from Newcastle to White Hart Lane just ahead of the transfer deadline on Wednesday evening.

It had been widely reported the 27-year-old was set for Goodison Park before a late change of plans, with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri claiming they pulled out of a potential deal which could have jeopardised James McCarthy’s place in the team under new boss Ronald Koeman.

Sissoko, though, insisted no such proposal was ever on the agenda as he remained in London waiting to finalise his switch to Spurs.

Speaking in L’Equipe, Sissoko said: “I never went to Everton.

“It’s funny. I was watching TV, and I saw that a deal had been done with Everton and that I had signed for them, but I was in London, waiting to sign my contract (with Tottenham)

“It is true that Wednesday was rather quick, and it happened in the last hours, but the bottom line is this is done, I have finalised my transfer to Tottenham.

“I knew this club really wanted me. I trusted my agent to do the job from start to finish.”

Sissoko, who played for France in their 3-1 friendly win over Italy in Bari on Thursday night, added: “I hope to have a good season and I am happy to be able to play in the Champions League.”