Thomas Meunier has admitted that Everton’s lack of European football was one of the reasons he didn’t sign for the club this summer.
The Belgian full-back also claimed that while negotiations did take place over the summer, they never progressed to the point where the defender had to make a decision.
Everton had been linked with a move for the Paris Saint-Germain defender before the season began, with Meunier having been deemed surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes.
The Toffees were in need of a right-back, with Seamus Coleman the only senior player in that position following Jonjoe Kenny’s loan exit, and Meunier was the main target before Everton eventually settled on a loan deal for Djibril Sidibe.
Everton had hoped to land Meunier for a cut-price with the Belgian’s contract set to expire in the summer.
While reports in the summer claimed that Meunier would have been open to moving to Goodison Park, it was always reported that his preference was to remain with PSG, and ultimately he got his wish to remain a Parisian.
Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws (via Sport Witness), Meunier revealed that he never came close enough to an offer to actually reject Everton. Meunier said:
There was interest and there have been conversations, but it never came to a point where I had to decide: Do I sign or not? Always one of the parties did not agree.
I have always made it clear that my ambition was to stay with PSG. I did not want to leave to leave.
Because playing at PSG is special. You are part of a team that can win a European competition, that is not something many players can say.
I could have signed with Everton – a good club. I would have played a lot, that’s for sure, and had a lot of fun too.
But Everton doesn’t play in European competition.
Read Everton Verdict
This should ultimately go to prove how crucial European qualification is to a club’s immediate future, particularly in the transfer market.
Everton have lost more than just Meunier in the past because they couldn’t compete in continental competition, and it should drive the club to get back to the European stage.
Meunier would have been a solid recruit this summer, but I’m still pleased with Djibril Sidibe. While Everton found an adequate alternative, they might not be so lucky next time, so they need to push hard for the remainder of the season to set themselves up nicely for next season.
