Everton left in disarray as Man United stance changes after £10m Joshua Zirkzee loan bid
Everton's last-minute swoop for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has failed.
The Blues turned to the Old Trafford man amid doubts with their £40million deal for Folarin Balogun.
Reports in France claimed that the American forward failed a medical, and the Red Devils star has emerged as a contingency plan.
The Toffees are understood to have made a loan offer to their Premier League rivals.
However, they rejected the approach and it looks like David Moyes and co will be disappointed.
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Why was Everton's attempts for Joshua Zirkzee loan rejected?
Everton had already been given the go-ahead from the player, as Zirkzee had agreed to make the last-gasp move.
The Athletic's David Ornstein reported on the Dutchman's stance earlier on Tuesday, after news emerged about the Blues' plans, and United were understood to be keen.
Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas reported that their stance changed on the £10million loan deal, which also covered his wages, and it was rejected by Michael Carrick's side.
Ben Jacobs claimed speaking live on talkSPORT, meanwhile, that United were "considering it an hour ago", but did not want to leave themselves short.
Everton's plans look to be in disarray, given the response to their attempts to capture Zirkzee and the struggles with the Balogun deal.
What happens next for Everton?
The Blues will now have to turn back to Balogun, and hope that the medical issue that was identified is not serious.
It would be criminal if Thierno Barry was the only senior striker in the squad, as that would be far too much burden to carry.
Ornstein reported after the Zirkzee news that the Merseysiders are hopeful of completing the deal for Balogun, but there is not much time to get that done.
It is supposedly with a lower fixed fee and more bonuses, which could work out better value for the Friedkin Group.
Hopefully they can get it over the line, so David Moyes is not left short.