Everton have identified AA Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic as a potential summer signing, according to HLN.
The Belgian newspaper claim that Everton have added Kalinic to their summer shortlist, but have not made him a priority signing due to their preferred interest in Jordan Pickford.
The Sunderland stopper remains the top target for Everton boss Ronald Koeman in the goalkeeping department, but he has drawn up a contingency plan as he reportedly still views Pickford as too expensive.
Instead, the Dutchman has turned his attention to AA Gent star Kalinic, with Everton having regularly scouted the goalkeeper last season.
Kalinic, 27, kept 16 clean sheets from 41 appearances in all competitions for the Belgian side last term, including a shut-out against Tottenham in the Europa League knockout stages in February.
However, the Croatia international only arrived at Gent in January, and the club are reluctant to part with him just six months into his four-and-a-half-year deal.
He moved to the Belgian Pro League outfit for a club record £2.7million fee, making him the most expensive player in the club’s history, but that record could be smashed again if Everton hope to see him on Merseyside.
The report does also state however, that a deal between the two clubs could be possible in 2018, although Koeman appears determined to reinforce his goalkeeping options this summer.
Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenburg are the two options currently at his disposal in the first-team squad, but the latter will turn 35 at the start of next season, and won’t be a long-term asset.