Everton have reportedly lost out to Arsenal in their pursuit of Sead Kolasinac.
The Schalke defender, 23, will be out of contract in June and had been in advanced talks with representatives of the Blues over a summer move.
But according to the Guardian, the Gunners are have stolen a march on Ronald Koeman’s side by agreeing to beat their salary offer for Kolasinac.
Arsenal have now beaten Everton to the capture of two players in as many years, with the Bosnia-Herzegovina international following their signing of Lucas Perez last summer.
Perez was on the verge of a move to Goodison Park from Deportivo La Coruna but opted for a £17 million switch to the north Londoners instead.
Kolasinac was born in Germany and played for his homeland up to under-20 level before agreeing to represent the country of his parents in 2013.