Everton are keen to take Barcelona’s Thomas Vermaelen on a season-long loan.
Vermaelen has been limited to just 31 appearances since joining the Catalans in 2014, 11 of them coming in the previous campaign during a spell with Roma.
Crystal Palace are thought to be in the hunt for the former Arsenal defender but the Blues have approached Barca in efforts to secure a deadline day deal.
Ronald Koeman identified Vermaelen’s versatility in playing both at centre-back and left-back as a useful squad addition ahead of Thursday’s 11pm deadline.
Koeman previously worked with the 31-year-old during his time at Ajax and could solve Everton’s cover issues since Ramiro Funes Mori’s injury setback.
Funes Mori faces a further eight months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee injury sustained on Argentina duty in March.
Crystal Palace are also eyeing Vermaelen but Everton hope that a loan with a view to making the deal permanent will find favour with Barcelona.
The defender’s future at the Nou Camp remains ominious after an injury-plagued start saw him fall down the pecking order under Luis Enrique’s tenure.
Vermaelen does not feature in the plans of Enrique’s successor Ernesto Valverde, with Samuel Umtiti, Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano all ahead of him.
Everton, meanwhile, remain hopeful of securing a striker despite missing out on his ex-Arsenal team mate Oliver Giroud and Palace’s Christian Benteke.
Hajduk Split midfielder Nikola Vlasic will also travel to Merseyside to finalise terms after Goodison Park officials agreed £8 million move earlier this week.