Manchester United blocked Everton’s move for Marcos Rojo on rivalry grounds.
Rojo saw a deadline day loan move to Goodison Park scuppered at the eleventh hour with the two clubs unable to reach an agreement for the centre-back.
United had previously rebuffed the Blues’ bid for the Argentina international’s teammate Chris Smalling on a similar short-term deal earlier this month.
But it has emerged that Old Trafford chiefs vetoed a deal on Rojo amid fears that Marco Silva’s side could usurp them in this season’s battle for European football.
According to the Times, the Red Devils believe that Everton will be a direct rival in their own bid to return to the Champions League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Rojo is understood to be furious at the decision taken by the United hierarchy, particularly with his current lack of first-team opportunities this term.
The 29-year-old is not expected to feature prominently under Solskjaer with as many as six players ahead of him in the club’s defensive pecking order.
However the 20-time English champions have not discounted offloading Rojo elsewhere before the European transfer window closes on September 2.
Napoli, AC Milan, Monaco and Fenerbahce are among those interested in him.