Everton's transfer window ended disappointingly as a loan deal for West Ham striker Enner Valencia was completed just before the deadline, but they missed out on Moussa Sissoko who signed with Tottenham.
Ecuador international Valencia was surplus to requirements at West Ham after the arrival of Simone Zaza and sources told ESPN FC earlier on Wednesday that Everton had made their move.
Everton said in a statement on Twitter: "The deal includes the option of a permanent deal. Valencia will link up next week after international duty."
✏️ | DEAL DONE: @EnnerValencia14 arrives from @WestHamUtd on a season-long loan. #WelcomeEnner pic.twitter.com/UW6a1bs9o8
- Everton (@Everton) August 31, 2016
With just a few hours to go before the close of the window the Toffees believed they were in pole position to secure Newcastle midfielder Sissoko having met his £30million asking price -- something Tottenham were apparently unwilling to do.
However, despite striking a deal with the club Everton failed to agree personal terms and it is understood they had difficulty getting the 27-year-old and his representatives to the negotiating table.
That delay gave Spurs enough time to re-enter the race, match Everton's bid and get the France international to agree a five-year deal just minutes before the deadline.
It left new manager Ronald Koeman with just Valencia to add to his squad and while he was in desperate need of a forward to provide backup to Romelu Lukaku his midfield also required strengthening.
The Valencia deal was not entirely straightforward as the Ecuador forward was on international duty in South America ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Peru, but the loan, with a view to a permanent deal, was secured close to 11 p.m. and the close of the transfer window.
Everton had earlier announced a deal to bring in Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.
✏️ | DONE DEAL: Dominic Calvert-Lewin joins on a 4-year deal from @SUFC_tweets & links up with our U23 squad. pic.twitter.com/kYS9fOEtFP
- Everton (@Everton) August 31, 2016
The 19-year-old, who is reported to have cost £1 million, has signed a four-year deal and will initially link up with David Unsworth's under-23 side.
"He'll be a great acquisition to our very talented under-23 group and I think he has the opportunity here now to kick on and play at the very highest level," Unsworth said.
"He's joining a massive club and this is an opportunity of a lifetime for him. To go from League One to the Premier League is a massive jump but he certainly has all of the attributes to make that jump, given time, hard work and the desire I know he has."