Everton have made Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson a key January target.
Sam Allardyce is beginning to shape his new Blues squad with the arrival of Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun at the end of the previous week.
But reports claim the former England boss has shifted focus to strengthening the Goodison Park backline to aid his side’s progress in the second half of the season.
Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka’s respective ages, with the pair both over 30, is said to be a concern for Allardyce in addressing Everton’s defensive issues.
According to the Mirror, Mawson is on a list of potential targets after impressing with Swansea in recent seasons which has seen his value reach £25 million.
But several Premier League clubs are expected to battle Everton for the 23-year-old, with West Ham and Watford both credited with interest in recent weeks.
The Welsh club have opened talks with Mawson in efforts to cement his future while new boss Carlos Carvalhal insists he is under no pressure to sell the player.
He said; “When I signed it was very clear we are trying to bring in players to improve the team and we will not sell the best players in January.
“Guarantees can change all the time. If someone gives £50m or £150m or £260m of course its completely different… we never can say that will not happen.
“But the fundamental idea is not to sell the players and try to improve the team.
“When I came to the club the idea was not to sell the best players. The message was very clear.”