Moussa Sissoko stole the transfer deadline day show

There can be little doubt that the greatest transfer saga of deadline day is Moussa Sissoko’s move to Tottenham Hotspur. The former Newcastle United midfielder — who earned renewed interest from several clubs after impressing for France at Euro 2016 — ended up signing for Spurs, but only after having convinced Everton that there was only ‘i’-dotting and ‘t’-crossing to be done on a move to Merseyside.

The saga started out with Everton meeting Newcastle’s asking price — something Spurs were reportedly unwilling to do. That left Everton boss Ronald Koeman believing the deal was all but done, and various reports have emerged suggesting that a private jet and the contracts were all ready and waiting for Sissoko in Liverpool.

However, this is when pesky Spurs come back on the scene.

Everton were all prepped for Sissoko’s grand arrival — but suddenly they couldn’t get hold of him. According to Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor, Sissoko “didn’t pick up Ronald Koeman’s call.” Where was he?

The answer, apparently, was on his way to Tottenham. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, having looked set to miss out on his big deadline day swoop, had seemingly been willing to up his offer — and sufficiently so to give Sissoko a free choice in deciding his destination. He never got on the plane that Everton prepared for him.

The Frenchman preferred London to Liverpool, with Spurs managing to get the deal over the line shortly before the close of the transfer window. One imagines Sissoko will be given a rather frosty reception on his visit to Goodison Park this season.