Everton are interested in signing defender Leo Lacroix in the summer to help tighten up their backline, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claims that the Toffees are eyeing the 26-year-old from French club Saint-Etienne, but he is currently out on loan with Swiss outfit FC Basel.
It is understood that the Merseyside club watched the centre-back recently during Basel’s Champions League win against Manchester despite them being dumped out of the competition.
The report details that Everton are keen for another defender and could land Lacroix for £7.5million
Basel are believe to have an option to buy the centre-back at the end of his loan, but Everton and Premier League rivals Brighton have shown an interest.
Good move for Everton?
Everton definitely need some defensive recruitments in the summer as they have been shocking at times at the back, with Ashley Williams perhaps the worst of the bunch.
They need to spend big again to realistically try make up the gap to the top clubs and that is why Lacroix is hardly a transfer target to get fans excited.
The defender has failed to hold down a place with Saint-Etienne and is yet to become a mainstay in the Basel defence.
He did enjoy a very strong second leg at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City with his powerful approach, but his defensive frailties were really highlighted in the first leg.
This Is Futbol rating: 3/10
Likely to happen?
Everton can’t be thinking too far into the future as there is no guarantee Allardyce will still be manager by next season, but even so it seems like Basel are in pole position to land Lacroix.
This Is Futbol rating: 3/10