Tottenham are set to hijack Everton’s loan signing of Arnaut Danjuma.
Danjuma had been due to become Goodison Park’s first arrival of the January transfer window after undergoing a medical ahead of a season-long switch.
But the Villarreal forward, 25, is now expected to be snatched away from the manager-less Blues with paperwork on his proposed move yet to be finalised.
It is understood that Danjuma has travelled London to complete formalities on a move to Antonio Conte’s side, who sit fifth in the Premier League table.
News of the Holland international’s U-turn comes as a blow to relegation-threatened Everton as they search for Frank Lampard’s replacement.
Marcelo Bielsa has emerged as the Goodison hierarchy’s preferred candidate but the former Leeds boss has expressed reveservations over taking the job.
The 67-year-old, out of work since his four-year spell at Elland Road ended last February, remains wary of taking the reins in the blue half of Merseyside.
Everton also face a fight to retain Anthony Gordon, amid increasing interest from a high-flying Newcastle United in the homegrown winger this month.
Gordon and Amadou Onana missed the first training session since Lampard’s departure, which academy coaches Leighton Baines and Paul Tait oversaw.
However the Belgium international’s absence was authorised by the club.