What happened to Everton’s big transfer kitty?

Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has promised major investment in players, but deadline day was a farce for the Toffees

To say I was disappointed on transfer deadline day as an Evertonian would be an understatement.

Like most Blues fans I started the day in an optimistic mood, as the likes of Yacine Brahimi and Manolo Gabbiadini were linked with moves to the club.

It was supposed to be an exciting day for Blues fans too often short-changed in the past by a club that had no financial clout.

The promise of a marquee signing and big money signings soon evaporated, as the Toffees were gazumped for French midfielder Moussa Sissoko at the last-minute by Tottenham.

The only arrival was that of much-maligned West Ham striker Enner Valencia on a season-long loan deal, with the possibility of buying the Ecuadorian next summer for a fee of around £14.5million next summer.

From what Hammers fans are saying about the guy I doubt we will be exercising that option. Who knows though maybe he will surprise us all?

Where was the promised big spending?

Everton’s billionaire majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri talked the talk very well when he arrived at the club. The former-Arsenal shareholder stated that the club would have £100million to spend in the transfer market.

Unfortunately, that never materialised. The only money the Toffees spent this summer came from the £47.5million sale of promising defender John Stones to Manchester City. In essence Stones sale paid for the arrivals Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie.

In fact, Everton’s transfer deals this summer would have fitted in well with how David Moyes had to sell before he could buy during his 11-year reign at the club. The Scot did this pretty well and always produced competitive teams.

For Everton fans, this was supposed to be a new era, where the new owner put his money where his mouth is. I just hope that Mr Moshiri is not all smoke and mirrors. Evertonians have had owners in the past who have deceived the fans, mainly ex-Liverpool season ticket holder Peter Johnson.

Johnson was thankfully bought out by the much-criticised Bill Kenwright, who helped guide the club to financial security. He also helped bring the supposed new investment into the club.

For me, Kenwright has always had the club best interests at heart. At the end of the day, he is an Evertonian. Some have suggested he has put his wallet first, but he has helped guide the club through a difficult period and he deserves some credit for that.

Deadline day was a farce

I am not sure who was involved in the farce that was deadline day at Finch Farm. As I understand it Everton was not even interested in signing Sissoko until the player’s agent offered him to them. Only then the Toffees started negotiations.

Surely the clubs negotiators were looking at other players and attempting to do others deals? Instead, they put all their eggs in one basket, a deal that only seem to interest them in the afternoon. What happened to the other deals?

We all know that the priority signing on deadline day was a striker, but it feels like the Enner Valencia signing was in desperation, rather than the club actually targeting the forward at the beginning of the day.

Everton has enjoyed far more successful deadline days when the club was skint. For the club to have money and not be able to spend it effective on deadline day is a strange one. It just leaves me with a sense that something was not right behind the scenes.

I was not really that bothered that Sissoko joined Spurs as most Newcastle fans will confirm the French midfielder blows hot and cold. He had a decent Euro 2016 with France, but even in the crazy transfer market, I am not sure he is worth £30million.

Everton has a decent squad already

Luckily we already have a decent squad of players and a highly-capable boss at the helm in Ronald Koeman. Hopefully, Wednesday was a case of the Dutchman not wanting to spend for the sake of spending and that he believes his squad is strong enough, even if he would have liked to add fresh blood to his squad.

The Toffees have started the campaign off in a decent fashion, picking up seven points from a possible nine in the Premier League. The decent start to the season has seen the Blues move to odds of 3/1 to finish in the top-six this season.

I really want to believe that Koeman is quite happy with his squad and that in future transfer windows the Blues will bring in players that can improve their chances of success, but only the Dutchman and people close to him will know his feelings.

Farhad Moshiri’s arrival at the club has been celebrated and I hope he can deliver on the promises he has made in the future because at the moment a number of Everton fans are feeling deflated and let down by the club.

Will Everton spend big in the future?