Everton were close to signing Newcastle striker Alan Smith on Monday until learning that the Magpies wanted more money than originally planned.

The proposed sale of Smith, who is understood to still be wanted at St James' Park by Kevin Keegan, was for a fee of £2.8million.

But the Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that after Everton expected the player to arrive for a medical at Goodison to clinch the move, the deal broke down after Newcastle asked for more money.

Keegan, who as reported on Tuesday has been unhappy with transfer dealings on Tyneside, refusal to sanction the transfer which stalled the transfer.