Everton have reportedly stepped up their interest in Sporting Lisbon defender Ruben Semedo.
Semedo has previously been linked to Chelsea but reports in Portugal suggest that the Blues are preparing to challenge their Premier League rivals’ interest.
He emerged as a target for Ronald Koeman during his final season in charge of Southampton and Everton are said to have followed up on that lead.
A Bola claim that Goodison Park scouts observed the 22-year-old during his side’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
However Semedo is unlikely to join Everton until next summer at the earliest, with the player’s release clause of £40 million potentially proving a barrier.