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Everton are still trying to sign a playmaker in the final hours of transfer deadline day - after failing in a second bid to land Andriy Yarmolenko.

The Blues had cooled interest in the Dynamo Kiev midfielder after talks reached a stalemate last month, and had identified Shakhtar Donetsk's Bernard as an alternative.

But Everton officials went back to the negotiating table with Kiev over the weekend in the hope of forcing through a move for the Ukraine international.

Everton were ready to meet Yarmolenko's 20m Euros release clause but Kiev were proving difficult to deal with and it is understood they were demanding more money for a deal to go through.

Yarmolenko is keen on a move out of his hometown club - but was never totally sold on a switch to Goodison.

And Kiev feel that should their captain perform well in the group stages of the Champions League then he can seal a January transfer to one of that competition's leading clubs.

The Blues remain interested in striking a deal for Aaron Lennon but are working to add a playmaker to the squad as well, although a loan looks the most likely option at this stage.