An agent working on behalf of Everton to sign Standard Liege forward Ishak Belfodil has told the Belgian media the Premier League side were to blame for the deal collapsing. The former Inter Milan player was linked with a move to Everton earlier in the transfer window.
Voetbal Nieuws have reported on comments from Christophe Henrotay with regards to Everton’s failure to sign Belfodil. Henrotay claimed Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said he would be putting in a higher bid for Belfodil, but Ronald Koeman decided to pull out of a move for the player.
The agent believes Koeman was given negative information, which was inaccurate, about Belfodil. Henrotay feels Kenwright lost interest in the deal because the transfer fee was too high.
Henrotay claims Kenwright said something along the lines of: “I want to keep our good relationship, we are going to make a higher bid, but I’ll remember this for next time.”
The agent himself added: “The transfer was put off track, Ronald Koeman suddenly changed his mind, he had something wrongly negative briefed on the player, because Belfodil is an exceptional professional.”
Kenwright is said to have become less interested in the deal as the price went higher.
Belfodil had been linked with a move to the Premier League strongly in Belgium, and it was expected Everton would sign the attacker. A fee of €12m was agreed, and the deal was expected to be completed, until Everton got cold feet.
Exclusive: Caio Emerson’s agent tells @LucasSposito_ that Everton interest is real. Decision next month. #EFC https://t.co/qxWsy7DA86
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) January 30, 2017
