Everton are about to join the race for Virgil van Dijk.
According to as report in The Mirror Ronald Koeman sees the Southampton defender as the man to replace John Stones in his defence.
Southampton are likely to hold out for £40m for the Dutchman but that would still leave Everton with a slight profit on the Stones deal.
Celtic are due a cut on any transfer profit after selling van Dijk last August for £12m but Southampton are well aware of the interest in the 25-year-old.
Towards the end of last season, nine months after signing, van Dijk was given a significant pay hike and new six year deal.
There is no prospect of the Dutchman seeing that deal out but after losing Victor Wanyama for £15m- due to the midfielder being in the final year of his contract- Southampton have no intention of being caught short again in the transfer market.
With experience in the Champions League, Europa League and international football, van Dijk is ticking boxes at a number of clubs and is certain to leave Southampton at some stage in 2017.
A reunion with Koeman seems a distinct possibility but Everton won’t be the only offer on the table for the impressive defender.