Farhad Moshiri has claimed that Everton pulled out of a deal to sign Moussa Sissoko because they did not want to 'jeopardise' James McCarthy's position at Goodison Park.
Everton were believed to be close to signing Sissoko for a club-record £30m from Newcastle on deadline day but were pipped to the Frenchman's signature by Tottenham.
But Moshiri, who became Everton's major shareholder in February, said he 'could not proceed with a deal' that would spell trouble for McCarthy, who expressed his desire to leave the club last weekend.
'Sissoko is a great player.