Everton transfer news: Kalidou Koulibaly, Lucas Perez and Moussa Sissoko deals all fell through over summer, admits Farhad Moshiri
EVERTON owner Farhad Moshiri has confirmed he missed out on three big-name transfer targets over the summer - and now plans to hand Ronaldo Koeman a January war chest.
Kalidou Koulibaly, Lucas Perez and Moussa Sissoko were all in his sights but the Toffees came unstuck bidding against the Champions League big boys.
And the Iranian investor has revealed that Napoli wanted a staggering £60million for defender Koulibaly.
Keep up to date with ALL the Everton news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
Perez appeared set for a move to Goodison Park from Deportivo before heading to Arsenal, while Sissoko was believed to be jetting in for a medical on deadline day only to begin ignoring boss Ronald Koeman's calls and end up at Tottenham.
Moshiri said: “We have no restrictions to spend.
“I think the manager had seven names, four of those we got.
“We tried to buy Koulibaly of Napoli and they wanted £60million.
“It is monopoly money. We went right to the asking price and they decided not to sell.
“He (Koeman) wanted a box-to-box midfielder and we matched Sissoko’s asking price and actually paid more and all the terms were agreed and just before midnight we realised he had changed his mind.
“Lucas Perez was all ready to sign and Arsenal took him from us at the last minute.”
Moshiri has also reiterated that he will continue to back "ruthless" Koeman with a January war chest, and has stressed the need for the club to move to a new stadium.
He insists that the 5-0 thumping at Chelsea has not changed his mind that the Dutchman is the man for the job.
Related stories
Speaking to , he added: “The manager is totally committed and ruthless; if a player is not up to it he uses another player and eventually he buys one.
“There are no sentimental issues there. The manager will strengthen the team in the areas he feels necessary.
“Koeman is Koeman - he does what he wants and I support him.
“I think the job of an owner and chairman is simply to hire and fire the manager, the rest is down to him.
“Once we hire a manager we back him. He has the personality, aura and ability and we trust him. In Everton’s culture the manger is the most important individual.
“He achieved eighth and seventh with Southampton. He needs to improve on that but it is a very difficult landscape now.
“We needed a strong balance sheet so I paid off the debts. We are now very flexible financially.
"We need a big stadium, no question about it. We have done the hard bit because the club was restricted to move or expand Goodison by banking covenants but I have paid the debts so we are free to do what we want and we have the finances to do it.
“The club has taken something from the fans and in our minds we know where to go and we are committed. I can reassure them they will have a stadium which rewards their loyalty and passionate support for our club. This is my key aim.”