David Moyes has dismissed as “completely untrue” rumours that Chelsea placed a bid for James Garner on Transfer Deadline Day.
The Blues were eager to sign a midfielder on the final day of the summer window after selling Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125 million.
When their move for AS Monaco star Lamine Camara fell through on Tuesday, reports emerged claiming they made a last-gasp bid to sign Garner.
But Moyes has definitively shot down any suggestion that Chelsea came in for the former Manchester United prospect.
Everton boss Moyes rubbishes Chelsea transfer rumour
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with United at home, Moyes said: “What was said was completely untrue, so I don’t know where that’s come from. There’s no truth in that whatsoever.”
Moyes was ultimately left dissatisfied by Everton’s business in the transfer window as they lost Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City for £65 million and failed to sign a new striker after selling Beto to Fiorentina for £14.6 million.
“Disappointed we didn’t do more business and disappointed things didn’t go our way in the end. Sometimes in football you have to live with disappointment and we will move on.”
Everton came close to securing Folarin Balogun until a problem was flagged in his medical. The Toffees were able to renegotiate the agreed fee with AS Monaco, but the striker changed his mind on signing for the club. They had also looked at Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham as potential alternatives.
“It wasn’t anybody’s fault,” Moyes said of the Balogun saga. “It happens in football a lot. The player had a problem in his medical and that was simply it. There’s no other story behind it.”
Everton did manage to sign Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City and Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon for just £4.2 million, filling key gaps in their lineup. Nonetheless, they have a small squad until January when they can make more signings.
“I know what I needed and I know what it’s like to build a squad for the Premier League,” Moyes added.
“I know the numbers you need. I’ve been around long enough to know that, but some things went against us and some things could have gone better.
“Ultimately, we didn’t want to lose a lot of the players, but for different reasons that had to happen.
“They’re all going to have to be able to muck in as we’ve got a real small squad now.
“It gives opportunities to some people who have not had them and sometimes in football you need to be given that chance so that you can show what you can do.
“Let’s see if some of them can do that. I have no concerns. I am sure they will be fully at-it.”
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