Everton boss David Moyes is upset with Manchester United beating him for Michael Owen's signature.
The People says Moyes went to extraordinary lengths to land the free-agent striker, and even flew him out to America for a long meeting over a round of golf.
He kept up his pursuit of Owen for months, with his number two Steve Round also chipping in as he worked with the player at Newcastle before both left St James' Park.
But Moyes really tried hard on proving to the England player he was the man to bring the best out of him in a move that would have been a brilliant bit of business for the Toffees.
Owen was even admitting to pals that he had been won over by Moyes and as late as last week he was going to join them on less money than he could have earned elsewhere.
But Moyes, who was back from his holiday last week, saw Owen hijacked by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and is now sifting through the wreckage of the deal - and looking for another cut-price replacement.