Everton have been warned that they will need to again break their transfer record to land Leander Dendoncker.
Over £53 million was spent in the space of 24 hours by the Blues on Thursday as they secured the services of both Jordan Pickford and Ajax’s Davy Klaassen.
Pickford became Everton’s record signing in a deal set to be worth up to £30m for the Sunderland goalkeeper while Klaassen arrived for a fee of £23.6m.
As the Goodison Park club flexes its financial muscles, Ronald Koeman has now turned his attention to the potential capture of Dendoncker from Anderlecht.
The Belgium international is keen to leave the Belgian club but Anderlecht are reluctant to sell, despite interest from Everton and an unnamed Bundesliga side.
Atletico Madrid had previously shown an interest in Dendoncker prior to their transfer embargo remaining in place until the January transfer window.
But Belgian newspaper Het Belang vin Limburg claim that Everton’s pursuit of the midfielder, 22, has been dealt a daunting hand by Anderlecht’s asking price.
Koeman will have to sanction a deal of £33m to land Dendoncker, said to be £13m more than his actual valuation, as the club aims to ward off interest.
Dendocker scored six times in 52 appearances in all competitions for Anderlecht as they edged out Club Brugge to the Jupiler Pro League title last season.