Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has revealed that the club turned down Moussa Sissoko to safeguard James McCarthy's place in the Toffees team.
The Merseyside club had a £30m bid accepted by Newcastle United for the France international, but the midfielder elected to join Tottenham Hotspur instead.
Moshiri released a statement which said: "Sissoko is a great player. 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 jeopardise his place at Everton. We wish Sissoko the best."
Sissoko, who leaves Newcastle following their relegation to the Championship, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at White Hart Lane.
