Everton are set to make a concerted push to sign Bristol City left-back Joe Bryan in the final days of the window, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim in their transfer blog (Saturday, 4.45pm) that the Championship high flyers are braced for multiple offers from the Merseysiders for the defender.
It has been reported that Everton manager Sam Allardyce is impressed by the left-sided flyer and is on the search for a new player to fix a problem area for his team.
Promotion chasers Bristol City would want around £7million in return to agree a sale in January.
Good move for Everton?
Leighton Baines is due back from a lengthy injury absence in the middle of next month but he is at the veteran stage – he turned 33 in December – and a permanent long-term replacement is needed. Cuco Martina has filled in recently but he is just a stop-gap as he is a right-back by trade. Bryan is an attack-minded left-back who has scored four goals already this campaign and been a key component of a side that is fourth in the Championship and has reached the semi-finals of the League Cup. Aged, 24, he has his best years ahead of him and could be a snip at £7million.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Everton have the cash to make City an offer they can’t refuse. This one could go down to the wire.
This Is Futbol rating: 6/10