Everton's director of football Marcel Brands has admitted that it was "unrealistic" that the Toffees could sign Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha.
Zaha's future was the subject of much speculation in the summer transfer window, amid reported interest from Arsenal and Everton.
The Crystal Palace star submitted a transfer request ahead of the deadline in the summer, but a move failed to materialise, with the Ivory Coast international staying put and featuring in 22 matches so far this season for the Eagles.
However, Brands has opened up about the protracted transfer saga, which saw Palace reportedly turn down bids from Arsenal and Everton, with the Eagles not willing to sell Zaha for less than the £80million he is valued at by the club.
“Look at last summer, from the start there were a lot of rumours and news that we would like to take [Wilfried] Zaha," Brands was quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo at Everton’s general meeting.
“And if you see our numbers then you know it is not realistic for Everton to buy a player for £60m, £70m, £80m.
“So that kind of expectation is sometimes a different kind of expectation for fans and it is not realistic and we have to manage that.
"Of course, we want to get the best players but we have to be realistic if you see our numbers.”
Zaha's future is once again in the spotlight this month though, with Chelsea, Tottenham and Bayern Munich among the clubs linked with a move for the 27-year-old in the January transfer window.
