Premier League duo Newcastle United and Everton both reportedly wanted to sign Toulouse’s Ligue 1 centre-back Christopher Jullien in the summer window.
Toulouse lost their captain and star defender Issa Diop this summer, the France U21 international having completed a big-money move to West Ham. And, for most of the last few months, it seemed likely that Diop’s former centre-back partner would follow him to England.
A number of Premier League clubs were linked with Toulouse’s Christopher Jullien, who admitted that he was keen to leave the Ligue 1 club after they narrowly avoided relegation last season.
Les Violets reported in August that both Newcastle United and Everton were keen on Jullien, who La Depeche claimed is worth around £9 million.
By the time August ended, however, Jullien was still at Toulouse and the man himself has now explained why his expected move to England didn’t happen.
“We talked about a departure, but now I’m here. There was interest in me, but it’s like that,” the 25-year-old told RMC Sport TV (19 September 2018).
“I sat down with the coach [Allain] Casanova and we talked. The coach knows football and some players who have gone to the Premier League. And I’m not ready.
“I am listening to learn. The day I’m ready, maybe I’ll go elsewhere.”
Fortunately for Everton and Newcastle, they did manage to bring in centre-backs before the window shut. Everton’s protracted pursuit of Barcelona defender Yerry Mina led to the Colombia international arriving at Goodison Park while Newcastle signed the experienced Federico Fernandez from Swansea City.
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