Newcastle United were beaten by Manchester City for Brazilian star Elano, it has been revealed.

Sam Allardyce revealed after Saturday's defeat that United were interested in Elano, who had a £10 million release clause in his contract at Shakhtar Donetsk, and were close to pulling off a deal at the time when Kieron Dyer was on his way to West Ham, says the Evening Chronicle.

But the delay over Dyer's transfer cost United Elano, who was quickly snapped up by Sven Goran Eriksson.