Birmingham City look to have missed out in their bid to sign Mikael Forssell, with Everton set to take the player to Goodison Park instead.
The Finland international striker, who has just returned to the Chelsea squad after missing most of the season with a knee injury, spent the 2003-04 campaign on loan with Birmingham and scored 17 goals in 32 Premiership matches.
Steve Bruce, the Birmingham manager, hoped that Forssell could be pursuaded to return but it appears that Everton's pulling power - they are in the Uefa Champions League next season - has won the day.
Should a deal be struck, Forssell would be expected to arrive on Merseyside to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical as soon as possible after completing international duty with Finland.
