Savage is set to stay at Birmingham

The tough-tackling Welsh international had been linked with the Goodison Park club after he revealed he would join Everton if he ever left St Andrews.

And, with Everton boss David Moyes missing out on two midfield transfer targets recently, a move for Savage was put in motion in order to beat Monday's deadline.

Moyes lost out on Rangers' Barry Ferguson who joined Blackburn and also pulled the plug on a deal for Fulham's Sean Davis because the player could not pass a medical owing to a knee injury.

That led to Moyes making a move for Savage, but his undisclosed bid has been knocked back by Birmingham.

HAVE YOUR SAY Robbie has become a club talisman and he was responsible for us staying up last year From Martin Jones Join the debate

"Birmingham City can confirm that they have been contacted by Everton about the availability of their midfield player, Robbie Savage," read a statement on the club's official website.

Birmingham City's managing director, Karren Brady added: "The offer for Robbie was derisory to both the club and the player and has been rejected.

"We are delighted that Robbie Savage is with Birmingham City as he is a committed player and we hope he will continue to play an important part in our endeavours to succeed in the Premiership."'