Everton manager David Moyes has revealed that he kept tabs on Demba Ba while the striker was at West Ham United last season.
The 26-year-old, who moved to Newcastle United over the summer, has helped Alan Pardew's side reach third place in the Premier League table this term.
However, Moyes says that it could all have been different for the clubs.
"We were interested in Demba," said Moyes. "I think he has done terrifically and done what a lot of people thought he could do at West Ham.
"He scored the goals there and that brought him into everyone's eye-line and we did have an interest in him."
Everton travel to Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.
