Everton are battling Newcastle and Brighton to land Bristol City’s Joe Bryan for £7million.
Everton boss Sam Allardyce is desperate for a left-back this month and is impressed by Bryan, who is one of the heroes of their march to the Carabao Cup semis.
Bryan, 24, opened the scoring in City’s quarter-final win over Manchester United last month when he was named man of the match.
Toon owner Mike Ashley has given Rafa Benitez the green light to pursue Bryan, despite his takeover talks with Amanda Staveley , and they are preparing a bid.
Brighton are also interested in the defender and City would want around £7million to sanction his sale this month.
But it is Everton whose need for a left-back appears most pressing as Leighton Baines' return from injury remains some way off.
Cuco Martina, a right-back, has been deputising in Baines' absence, but has come in for criticism from large sections of the Goodison crowd.