Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce is convinced he can prise Phil Neville away from Everton.

The Independent says Neville, the captain of Everton, joined the Goodison Park club two summers ago and signed a five-year contract. At 30, Neville might be expected to cost up to £4m but Everton are not hard-pressed for cash and Neville is not the sort of player who would cause disruption at a club simply to engineer an exit.

No bid has been made by Newcastle but if one does materialise by the end of this transfer window then Everton will have to inform the player and the situation could develop.