Everton face battle to land Lyon defender

Everton will have to fight off interest from Benfica to complete the signing of Lyon full-back Aly Cissokho.

Cissokho, 24, is poised to end his four-season stay at Lyon after the French side signalled their willingness to cash in on the left-back.

According to Italian news site CalcioMercato.com, Everton are leading the race to secure Cissokho’s signature, but Benfica and Serie A side Napoli are also weighing up offers for the defender.

And Everton’s move for Cissokho, who is valued at £7m, places further questions marks over the future of Leighton Baines, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.