Everton denied making a second offer for the player.
The Daily Mail had earlier reported that the duo would be included in a fresh offer for the Ivorian international, added to a £60m fee.
It’d be a mammoth transfer if it came off, but the Toffees are adamant it’s not something they are pursuing.
A club statement, reported by The Telegraph, said: “Everton Football Club categorically denies that a bid has been submitted to Crystal Palace for Wilfried Zaha that included an increased sum plus Cenk Tosun and James McCarthy.
“Everton and Crystal Palace have a very good relationship. A bid was made over the weekend which was turned down. Both clubs agreed that was the end of the matter.”
Zaha scored ten goals and created ten assists in the Premier League last term and would be a player who could add a lot to Marco Silva’s first-team. He has pace, skill and a proven track record of bothering opposition defences.
If they could also secure exits for two fringe players in McCarthy and Tosun, that may even be an added bonus from the club’s perspective.
However, it appears there’s now no interest from Everton’s end, with the club not usually in the business of flatly denying transfer stories.
The reason they have made such a move is probably because two of their players were specifically mentioned, potentially causing unrest behind the scenes or putting off potential suitors before the end of the transfer window.
Some fans have been left baffled by the situation though, with these supporters taking to Twitter to share their thoughts…
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