Everton pulled out of a deal to sign Frenchman Moussa Sissoko to protect Republic of ireland midfielder James McCarthy's place in the team, according to the Premier League club's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
Sissoko, who represented France at Euro 2016, had looked on the verge of moving to Goodison Park but instead joined Tottenham Hotspur from Newcastle United in a £30m deal.
McCarthy, 25, joined Everton in September 2013 and played more than 30 games in all competitions for the club last season, but Sissoko's arrival could have put his place in manager Ronald Koeman's squad under threat.
He was forced to pull out of Ireland's opening World Cup qualifier in Serbia having returned to his club following assessment of his groin injury.
"Sissoko is a great player. But when I bought into Everton, I made it clear I was proud to join a family and we don't turn our backs on our own," Moshiri said.
"Keeping James McCarthy was a priority and ultimately we could not proceed with a deal that would jeopardise his place at Everton. We wish Sissoko the best."
Everton have picked up seven points from the opening three games and will look to continue their impressive start to the season when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on 12 September.
Sissoko has claimed he always wanted to sign for Tottenham and a reported move to Goodison Park was never on the agenda.
Speaking in L'Equipe, he said: "I never went to Everton. It's funny. I was watching TV, and I saw that a deal had been done with Everton and that I had signed for them, but I was in London, waiting to sign my contract (with Tottenham)
"It is true that Wednesday was rather quick, and it happened in the last hours, but the bottom line is this is done, I have finalised my transfer to Tottenham.
"I knew this club really wanted me. I trusted my agent to do the job from start to finish."
Sissoko, who played for France in their 3-1 friendly win over Italy in Bari on Thursday night, added: "I hope to have a good season and I am happy to be able to play in the Champions League."
