Moyes: Chelsea bid for James Garner late in window? Completely untrue

According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton manager David Moyes discussed the club's recently concluded summer transfer window at his pre-match press conference ahead of the match against Manchester United. Moyes admitted he was disappointed with the final outcome and said Balogun's deal collapsed because of issues during the medical, while denying that Chelsea made a late bid for James Garner.

Everton experienced significant personnel changes in the final stage of the transfer window. The club ultimately did not sell Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest, but four first-team players including Iliman Ndiaye departed, with Ndiaye joining Manchester City for £65 million.

In terms of arrivals, Jack Grealish returned on loan from Manchester City and Everton also signed Ainsley Maitland-Niles. However, the club had hoped to bring Folarin Balogun from Monaco, but the major deal collapsed, leaving Moyes with only Thierno Barry as an experienced central striker.

Speaking about the whole transfer window, Moyes said: "I am disappointed we didn't get more deals done, and I am disappointed things did not ultimately go in the direction we wanted."

Regarding why the Balogun deal failed, Moyes said: "It was nobody's fault."

He then explained: "These things happen. Sometimes players have issues show up in their medicals, and there is no other reason beyond that."

Speaking about Everton's consideration of selling Armstrong late in the window, Moyes said the club did appear to be looking to raise funds through player sales at that time, adding that "these things were discussed in the end."

Regarding Ndiaye's departure, Moyes admitted he did not want to lose the player, but said he had experienced similar situations before, including when Wayne Rooney left Everton.

Discussing the current squad situation, Moyes said: "I know what a squad competing in the Premier League should look like... Some things have gone against us, and there are some things we could have done better."

Regarding the departures of several players, Moyes said: "I didn't want to lose all these players, but that is how things have ended up happening."

Discussing the team's goals for the new season, Moyes said: "There are a lot of positive feelings here, and everyone is confident about our performances at the start of the season. I need to continue giving them the support they need."

Moyes also admitted Everton's squad is currently small: "Our squad size is very small." He reiterated his view from last week that the current players all need to share responsibility. At the same time, the situation could provide opportunities for some players, and he has no concerns about those remaining at the club.

With Balogun not joining, Everton currently have limited options at centre-forward. Asked whether he had spoken with players such as George and Johnson about how to support Barry, Moyes said he had not done so yet.

Moyes said: "At the moment I am still focused on what we are doing, but as problems arise we have to find solutions. If I had known earlier that this is how things would turn out, I might have tried some of these players as forwards in the friendlies."

Asked whether he could look for new signings in the free-agent market, Moyes said he would consider it, but only if the player could genuinely improve the team. He wants players to believe Everton can provide a good platform for development and help players including Hackney and Branthwaite push for places in their respective national teams.

Regarding reports that Chelsea made a late-window offer for James Garner, Moyes firmly denied it: "It is completely untrue. There is absolutely no factual basis for it."

Speaking about interest from other clubs in Garner, Moyes said that when players develop into top players, they have to accept that they will attract interest from other teams. He hopes Garner can continue improving as he did last season.

Asked how the transfer window had affected his thoughts on his goals for the season, Moyes said bluntly: "Not very well."

Moyes believes Everton exceeded expectations last season and hopes the team can achieve that again this season. However, he also said the club needs help and praised Everton fans for their support away at Bournemouth, hoping they can continue helping the team against Manchester United.

Speaking about whether he, the board and the Friedkin Group are aligned, Moyes said all parties must be united to achieve success. He noted that Everton now have new owners who are still learning what it means to own and operate a Premier League club, and that alignment between all sides will improve as the process continues.

Asked whether players would be promoted from the academy system, Moyes said he was not currently sure whether anyone was ready to step into the first team, but he may have to use some of the young players this season.

Regarding whether Brayden Graham can solve the shortage of attacking options, Moyes said: "First of all, I don't think he is a striker... I really like Brayden, and he played a lot of games for us during pre-season."

Moyes believes Graham is making progress, but said it would be very difficult for the young player if he were expected to immediately become a consistent source of Premier League goals for the team this season.

Additionally, speaking about Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, Moyes said: "He was probably destined to go down the road of becoming a football coach."

Moyes believes Carrick did an excellent job in leading Manchester United back to Champions League qualification while also helping the club regain stability.