Everton are targeting Celtic’s Kieran Tierney as their first summer signing.
Tierney has been identified as a long-term successor for Leighton Baines at left-back as Marco Silva aims to shape the current Blues squad in his image.
A bid in the region of £25 million is expected to be tabled to the Scottish champions in efforts to lure the promising defender to Goodison Park.
Celtic are understood to be reluctant to part with Tierney, who has five years remaining on his existing contract with the Glasgow-based club.
But Everton are hopeful of testing their resolve with an eight-figure offer for the 21-year-old, who has made over 100 appearances for the Bhoys.
Since making his 2014 breakthrough, Tierney has won three successive Premiership titles with Celtic and been capped nine times by Scotland.
Also said to be on Silva’s radar is Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario following West Ham’s refusal to make his loan spell permanent with a £35m transfer.
Reports in Italy claim that Everton and Bournemouth are among several Premier League clubs vying for the Portugal international’s signature.