Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho’s future may decide whether Everton land Lamine Kone.
Sunderland are currently attempting to convince the French centre-back to join them on a season-long loan as he fights to revive his Anfield career.
And that could see the Blues finally luring Kone from the Stadium of Light following a summer-long pursuit of the Ivory Coast international.
Everton lodged an £18 million bid for the 27-year-old earlier this month which was rebuffed by the Black Cats as they source ready-made alternatives first.
With less than 24 hours remaining of the summer transfer window, Sakho has continued to resist approaches from various Premier League clubs.
David Moyes, however, remains hopeful that Sunderland can succeed where peers Stoke City and West Brom failed before tomorrow night.