Ronald Koeman believes Tottenham's deadline day move for Moussa Sissoko highlights how difficult it has become for Premier League clubs to sign players.
Everton appeared to be on course to sign the France midfielder just hours before last week's deadline only to be beaten to the punch by Mauricio Pochettino's side late on.
Spurs upped their initial offer for Sissoko and he left Everton in the lurch before signing a five-year contract at White Hart Lane in a deal the midfielder described as a "necessity."
The 27-year-old's ruthless approach disappointed Koeman but the Dutchman is adamant hurried deals of such nature speak volumes of the difficulties clubs face when adding to their respective squads.
"We had a disappointment on the last day, but that happens in football, because you don't get always what you like to have.
"It was not in our hands with Sissoko," said the Toffees boss.
"I spoke to the player, I think it was 10 days before the last day of the window - and the player showed his interest in coming to Everton.
"Then, finally, everyone knows what happened.
"I think it is also now for everyone more difficult than ever to sign players - the money, the salaries, the agents.
"I think it is overall a difficult time, because if you see what happened on the last day, clubs signing players, doing big transfers - you can ask why today, why not three weeks ago?"
Tottenham training 08/09/16
Spurs are able to offer Champions League football to their new signings this season and Koeman admits the prospect of competing with Europe's elite can often prove to be a deal breaker.
"Yes, that's true. I had that experience when I was at Southampton.
"It is all up to this season, how we perform, because if we reach Europe, and that is our challenge, it will be more easy to get these kind of players."
Sissoko is in line to make his Spurs debut when the north Londoners travel to Stoke this weekend and Hugo Lloris believes his countryman will add another dimension to Pochettino's attacking options.
