Steven Taylor insists he was never close to joining Everton Football Club.

The Newcastle United star was heavily linked with a move to Goodison Park in the summer, but he insists he was never on the verge of quitting his boyhood club.

“The best thing ever was seeing the last five seconds pass to the deadline. I was like, ‘five, four, three, two, one’ and then it was all over,” Taylor told the Sunday Sun.

“My name had been brought up a few times in the summer and I was just sick of seeing it. Sky Sports even said I was having a medical at Everton when I was at home!”

“People were ringing me up asking me where I was going and I didn’t know what kind of reaction I was going to get from Newcastle fans.

“It was all just speculation and it did my head in. Now I just want to stay here and help get this club promoted as champions.”

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