Steven Naismith to Norwich: Canneries close in on £8.5m Scotland international

Norwich are 16th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone, while Everton are 11th in the table following the 3-3 draw with champions Chelsea

Steven Naismith could soon be saying goodbye to Goodison Park

Norwich City hope to sign Steven Naismith today for £8.5m after the Everton attacking-midfielder travelled to East Anglia to undergo a medical.

The 29-year-old has scored 25 goals in 123 appearances for the Toffees but has started just four Premier League matches this season under Roberto Martinez.

After having a £7m bid rejected in the summer, Alex Neil’s Canneries have returned for the Scotland international and hope to have him in time for next Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off against Liverpool.

Speaking earlier this month, Everton manager Martinez said: “We are open to the Naismith situation because in the last days of the previous window it's an open secret Steven wanted to know about his future.

“At that time we couldn't replace him and it wasn't right to do that. That's been there since day one on January 1. It's never been a question of welcoming approaches and offers, it's making sure we sit down with the player and he's clear with the next step of his career.

“The promise was we would review it in the next window and see how he is. Steven is in a position where he hasn't played as much as he would have liked as a senior player.

“It's very much in the player's hands to be able to make the right call.”

Norwich are 16th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone, while Everton are 11th in the table following the 3-3 draw with champions Chelsea.