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.
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic