Everton majority shareholderFarhad Moshiri has revealed that the reason John Stones was sold to Manchester City in the summerwas in order to cling on to star striker Romelu Lukaku.
Stones, 22, completed a £47.5m summer-switch to Manchester City after months of speculation linking him with a move away from Goodison Park.
And now, Moshiri has admittedthat the player wanted to leave after being told he was allowed to by former Toffees boss Roberto Martinez.
As quoted in theLiverpool Echo, Moshiri told TalkSport:"I did what I could to keep Romelu (Lukaku), which I managed to do. I looked at the club, and the three big stars were Romelu, Ross Barkley and John Stones.
"The boy (Stones) wanted to go. (Roberto) Martinez had promised him he could go the following year, but I didn't let him go until the manager (Koeman) said he could go."
Moshiri all revealed how Everton went toe-to-toe with big spenders Chelsea for a replacement and lamented the values in the current transfer market.
"At the end of the day I do what the manager wants, because what is £47.5m? We tried to buy (Kalidou) Koulibaly from Napoli and they wanted £60m. We competed with Chelsea for him, went right up to the asking price and they didn't want to sell.
"Every defender now in Europe seems to be £50m, 29, 30-year-olds. It's Monopoly money, it doesn't mean anything."
Moshiri on selling Stones: "What is £47.5m? We tried to buy Koulibaly and they wanted £60m. It's monopoly money." https://t.co/enp4pq5PqJ
The British-Iranian businessman went on to explain how Ronald Koeman had a prominent role in the transfer market, giving him a list of seven names that he wanted to sign.
Moshiri added:"The manager had seven names, and four of those we got. With (Moussa) Sissoko we matched the asking price, actually paid more, we had all the terms agreed but we realised at the last minute, just before midnight (on deadline day) that he'd changed his mind. He wanted a Champions League club.
"Lucas Perez was exactly the same. He was all ready to sign and then Arsenal took him from us. (Manolo) Gabbiadini of Napoli, they sold Higuain and then decided not to sell.
"But you don't really know if that would have helped us. Lucas Perez is injured, Sissoko is suspended, and Gabbiadini has scored one Serie A goal since."