French star Moussa Sissoko signed for Tottenham on deadline day in a €35m move, after being linked to the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Everton.
Sissoko, in particular, was reportedly close to signing for Everton until Tottenham stepped in.
The 27-year-old has had a fine start to his career at White Hart Lane, and has been speaking to French media outlet Canal+ (via Get France Football News).
Sissoko has rubbished claims that he was at Everton or close to signing for the Merseyside club.
Sissoko said: “When I saw it on the TV or in the news that I was in Everton or that I was supposed to sign for Everton. All of that was total rubbish. They wanted me at Everton. I didn’t hear anything else.”
The French international insists he had made up his mind to sign for Tottenham the moment they expressed their interest to sign him, and that the London club are bigger than Everton.
He added: “Tottenham came in next. In my head it was clear I absolutely wanted to sign for them. Without wishing to offend Everton, Tottenham in my opinion are a bigger club than Everton. So for me it was better to go here. And I didn’t think more about it. I signed.”
The French international was particularly impressive at the Euro 2016 in France, which saw him getting linked to some of the biggest clubs in Europe, but nothing materialised until the deadline day.
Sissoko was keen on leaving Newcastle United after they dropped to the Championship, and had several times admitted his desire to play in the Champions League.