Eintracht Frankfurt director of football Markus Krösche has hinted Everton, and other clubs, were never really serious for Junior Dina Ebimbe.
Fussball News cover comments from the Eintracht chief today and Ebimbe, who has been labeled something of a “problem child” for the German club.
Ebimbe spent the summer being linked with moves away from the club but, ultimately, failed to leave before deadline day.
Everton were one of the clubs consistently linked with a move for the midfielder in the last weeks of the window as they tried to strengthen Sean Dyche’s squad.
They ultimately went elsewhere, with the last report naming them as suitors indicating they would have to pay as much as €20m if the midfielder were to arrive at Goodison Park. Instead, Orel Mangala arrived on loan from Lyon.
No other sides moved for Ebimbe either, leaving him with the Bundesliga side, who must now work to bring him back into the squad until January at least.
Krösche will be a part of that process and, when asked about the player, insisted the interest from Everton and others was never as concrete as was made out in the media.
“I would like to clarify that we did not want to sell Junior. We did not actively explore the market,” he said.
“For a transfer to take place, the required parameters must be met. The issue was made bigger than it actually was.
“Junior has already performed very well for us. He was an important factor and scored important goals. I’m not worried because Junior is a good boy with a lot of individual quality. He will work his way out of this little slump.”
