Everton have been told to increase their offer if they want to sign Derby goalkeeper Mart Poom.

Derby chief executive Keith Loring said the two clubs are way apart on their valuation of the Estonian international.

And he insisted Derby would not sell their players on the cheap, despite the need to cut costs after being relegated from the Premiership.

"We made it clear in May we would have to sell to help us to readjust financially to life in the First Division.

"But that doesn't mean we're going to let top players go for less than their value.

"Everton's bid did not meet our valuation of a player who John Gregory would like to keep at Derby County.

"Every player has his price but, unfortunately for Everton, they were off-mark in their offer for Mart Poom," Loring told the club's website.

Everton's deputy chairman Bill Kenwright has been trying to reach agreement with Derby officials.

And he is believed to be ready to make one final offer before he and manager David Moyes start to look elsewhere.

"As things stand now the deal is not off but it is very close," Moyes told Everton's website.

"As I have said we are determined not to go above the figure we have in mind for Mart Poom.

�Bill has been in regular contact with Derby to try and resolve the matter but obviously things are going to have to come to a head one way or another soon.

"This can't go on and on. I need to know very quickly because I don't want to be left trying to fill a key position at the last minute."