Everton: Belfodil deal off; Koeman quotes on Jagielka; move for Lille forward

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Ronald Koeman confirmed in his press conference yesterday that the proposed deal for Standard Liege forward Ishak Belfodil has broken down and that he will not be moving to Goodison Park this season.

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A £10.4 million move had been agreed between the two sides last week, with Steve Walsh (Everton’s Director of Football) particularly keen on the Algerian, but The Guardian have reported that it is believed financial complications arose that put Koeman off of the signing.

Asked about the failed move, Koeman said:

“Belfodil was one of the players on our list and we had the opportunity to buy him but we took the decision not to sign him”

Koeman also addressed the ongoing Phil Jagielka saga, with the 34-year-old defender allegedly getting closer to a move to Sunderland and a reunion with former Everton manager David Moyes.

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Jagielka has been left out of Everton’s starting line-up in recent weeks, only making two appearances in Everton’s last eight Premier League matches, but Koeman said that the England centre-back should ‘fight’ for his spot in the side rather than look for a move away.

Koeman, responding to the increasing speculation over Jagielka’s future, added:

“It’s all about if there is interest for Jag. Of course the last few weeks he did not start. He is important, he is the captain of the team. He is not happy because he is not starting and that’s a good signal. What you need to do as a player is fight and make it difficult for the manager”

Jagielka has made 15 appearances for Everton this season, starting the Toffees’ first 13 league matches, but Koeman has since preferred the youth of Mason Holgate in his back three.

Whilst speaking to the media yesterday, Koeman also expressed his desire to bring in more players before the January transfer window closes, saying he is still ‘hopeful’ of making new additions to his squad.

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One player touted to be in an Everton shirt soon is Lille forward Martin Terrier, with Koeman being a fan of the 19-year-old’s future potential according to The Guardian.

Terrier has made nine appearances for Lille in Ligue 1 this season, finding the back of the net once, and the Toffees could be set to enter a bidding war with West Ham to sign the youngster.

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