Everton have cooled their pursuit of Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston.
Johnston emerged as the preferred target to solve a longstanding positional issue at Hill Dickinson Stadium following captain Seamus Coleman’s departure.
Talks took place between David Moyes’ side and the Scottish champions, whose manager Martin O’Neill confirmed interest from Merseyside at the end of last week.
However the Blues are now set to assess other options after failing to match the Bhoys’ valuation for Johnston, who started Monday’s SPFL opener with Dundee.
According to the Daily Record, Celtic are holding out for a figure in the region of £15 million for the 27-year-old to seal a tidy profit on his £3M arrival in January 2023.
Johnston has been part of four title-winning sides since joining from CF Montreal but was understood to be keen on making the move to the Premier League mainstays.
However a disparity in valuation between the clubs is expected to see Everton look to alternatives with Strasbourg defender Guela Doue the latest named target.
O’Neill recently admitted that he would prefer for Celtic to retain Johnston until after their Champions League play-off with LASK has concluded on August 25.
He said: “I’ve spoken to Alistair on the back of the interest. It was one of those where he is perfectly happy here at the football club.
“Ali wouldn’t leave here for a second-class Premier League outfit, if there is such a thing. But if a big club comes in, it’s something you’d have to look at.
“That is only natural as well. If I was a player, I’d be exactly the same.”
Meanwhile Everton have confirmed that latest signing Christian Norgaard will wear the No.23 shirt recently vacated by Coleman for the new top flight campaign.
Norgaard completed a £7M move from Arsenal on Wednesday evening to become the club’s fourth addition of the summer and inherits the former skipper’s number.
He said: “It’s a big honour to not only wear the Everton shirt, but to wear the number [23].
“It’s been worn by perhaps one of the biggest legends of this club, in Seamus Coleman, who I know has only recently left.
“It’s big shoes to fill, but please don’t compare. I am a different player with a different history, but I promise you I will wear it with big pride, and big honour.”