Moussa Sissoko has been posing with his new shirt after completing a £30m move to Tottenham Hotspur from Newcastle United just minutes before the transfer window closed.
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Yet it has been widely reported that Sissoko had agreed a deal with Everton, before he changed his mind and refused to accept a call from Toffees boss Ronald Koeman to finalise the transfer.
The France worldwide left Newcastle for Tottenham in a last-minute £30million move on Wednesday, reportedly snubbing Everton in the process.
Sissoko had been preparing for France’s friendly in Italy on Thursday.
But, they’ve attempted to save some face by suggesting they dropped out of the race to sign Sissoko because the deal was set to “jeopardize” McCarthy’s place at Everton.
“But I was in London, waiting to sign my contract (with Spurs)”.
Sissoko joined Newcastle from Toulouse in January 2013 and went on to make 133 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals. I have the chance now with Tottenham so I’m looking forward and I hope we will do well in the Premier League and in the Champions League also.
The 27-year-old midfielder was powerless to stop Newcastle United’s slide into the Championship in 2015/16, yet, despite an unimpressive season on Tyneside, found himself one of the star performers in France’s Euro 2016 campaign.
Moussa Sissoko was not pursued by Everton to ensure James McCarthy’s position was not jeopardised, according to owner Farhad Moshiri.
Sissoko has been continually linked with a switch from St James’ Park since Newcastle’s relegation from the Premier League in May.
He told the club’s official website: “We will work well together as we have the same objectives”. “When we are with the national team we speak a lot, we laugh a lot”.
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The goalkeeper added: “It’s true that our squad is very young and the young players need more experienced players around them”. When he feels fully adapted you will see his real personality. “He is very committed, he is always ready to help the team and that’s why he’s an global player”.
