Everton have ended their pursuit of Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The Daily Express says they have shelved their interest in Schmeichel as part of the deal that saw Steve Walsh installed as their new director of football.

Walsh will not target any Leicester players for Everton in the transfer window in the wake of his own defection from the King Power this week.

Leicester were reluctant to lose their assistant manager and head of recruitment with Walsh credited with the signings of N'Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez and pushed to ensure they would not be susceptible to immediate raids of their squad.

Newcastle's Tim Krul – who is coming back from injury - remains on Everton's list of alternatives, while Chelsea's Asmir Begovic is an option.