Toffees chew over Tiago deal as Newcastle loan move stalls

The Portugal playmaker, 27, is surplus to requirements at Juventus and looked to be heading for until the deal hit a hitch yesterday.

Toffees Chew Over Tiago: Portugal midfielder Tiago has become an Everton target

Newcastle's Tony Jimenez had agreed a loan move that could become permanent next summer for an £8million fee.

But talks were still ongoing on how much Newcastle should contribute to the player’s wages.

Juventus defender-turned-agent Manuel Dimas is working on the deal in a bid to smooth its passage but Everton's intervention has turned the player's head - particularly with Portugal team-mate Nuno Valente at Goodison and David Moyes still hopeful of signing Joao Moutinho from Sporting Lisbon.

Newcastle had hoped to have the transfer tied up today but Everton can also offer him European football.

Tiago has proved a flop in Italy after moving to Turin from Lyon last year and Juventus are trying to off-load the £8m capture.

He showed flashes of his ability while at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, yet has failed to repeat that sort of form since.

Sportsmail revealed last month that Everton were interested and Moyes had even considered making a move back in January.

The Everton manager has been working round the clock desperately trying to bolster his threadbare squad since Andy Johnson's £12m departure to Fulham and still hopes to land Brazilian striker Wagner Love from CSKA Moscow, Newcastle's Alan Smith and Stephane M'Bia of Rennes.

But his need for more quality has been heightened with injuries to Steven Pienaar, Tony Hibbert and Tim Cahill - although the Australian should return by September.