Everton are interested in signing Valencia defender Aymen Abdennour this summer, according to Foot Mercato.
The French news outlet claim that the Toffees are keeping a close eye on the 27-year-old centre-back, but that he is not considered one of their priority defensive targets.
It is said that Burnley’s Michael Keane remains Everton’s most attractive target, with the Merseyside club having already made a formal offer to the Clarets for his services.
However, Everton are weighing up a number of alternative options, and it is understood that Abdennour could be snapped up for a fee in the region of £13million this summer.
The 54-time Tunisia international had moved to the La Liga club in a deal in excess of £20million, but Valencia manager Marcelino appears willing to accept a loss on the player.
Abdennour is one of ten senior players that are likely to be axed from the first-team squad this summer as Marcelino plans wholesale changes, and there will be no shortage of potential suitors.
French duo Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais have also closely monitored the situation of the defender, with Marseille sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta holding talks over a potential transfer in the winter.
Fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United, meanwhile, are also said to be interested in the former AS Monaco man, who is under contract at Valencia until the summer of 2020.
Everton have already made one defensive change by snapping up Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in a £30million deal earlier this week, but their attention has now turned to a defender.