David Moyes will step up his attempts to sign out of favour Tottenham midfielder David Bentley, despite being told he must stump up a whopping £15million to land him.

The Everton chief is a long-standing admirer of the former Blackburn man and has not been put off by his recent off the field problems, but rather hoped it would enable him to bring the troubled star to Goodison Park in a cut-price deal.

This is seemingly not the case, and Moyes may now look to agree a loan deal with a view to a permanent move if a compromise can't be reached on the extortionate fee Spurs are demanding.

Bentley, a lifelong Spurs fan, is understood to be desperate to rekindle his flagging career at The Lane, and might not welcome the move. But Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is still understandably furious at the England international's recent drink-driving episode. He may force the deal through, against the players wishes.

Meanwhile, the proposed transfer of Ever Banega looks to have fallen through after the Argentinian winger turned out for Valencia in their midweek Europa League game.

The two clubs had agreed a fee and a work permit had been granted,but the transfer was put on hold by the Spaniards who were suffering from an injury crisis and had no replacement lined up for Banega.

Moyes is now set to pull-the-plug and turn his attention to other targets, with Bentley his number one priority.