Friday 9 September 2016 09:35, UK
Ronald Koeman admits he is disappointed to have missed out on signing Moussa Sissoko on transfer Deadline Day - but insists he is happy with his Everton squad.
Toffees boss Koeman claims Sissoko expressed an interest in joining Everton with 10 days remaining in the summer window.
But last Wednesday, with just hours to go before the window slammed shut, the France international joined Tottenham in a £30m deal.
And Koeman, speaking ahead of Monday's Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, said: "Overall (the window was) positive, because we signed some good players.
"Of course, we had a disappointment on the last day, but that happens in football, because you don't get always what you like to have.
"It was not in our hands with Sissoko. He chose finally a different option, but I can't say anything against the club, the board, the chairman, because we did everything to get the player.
"I did not have the meeting with his agents. From the outside, it was difficult.
"I spoke to the player, I think it was 10 days before the last day of the window - and the player showed his interest in coming to Everton. Then, finally, everyone knows what happened."
Everton did recruit forward Enner Valencia on loan from West Ham, to add to the earlier summer arrivals of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, defender Ashley Williams, midfielder Idrissa Gueye and winger Yannick Bolasie.
But Koeman said Sissoko would have been the icing on the cake.
"I thought that was the player for us, what we needed at that moment," he said. "Then the picture was totally perfect.
"But still, without that player, the picture is very good. I am happy with the squad and the signings."
