Ronald Koeman has confirmed that Everton have scrapped plans to land Ishak Belfodil.
Belfodil was previously on course to move to Merseyside last week from Standard Liege following recommendation from Blues’ director of football Steve Walsh.
But a series of external hold-ups appeared to have delayed the Algeria international, a team mate of Riyad Mahrez, in his £10.5 million switch.
Reports in Belgium claimed that Goodison Park chiefs pulled the plug on the deal due to Koeman’s reservations about the player’s suitability.
The Everton manager has now confirmed that those claims were correct as he shelved plans to pursue the 24-year-old’s signature.
He said: “I don’t speak about players individually.
“It was one of the players on the list but we took the final decision to not sign the player.”