
Everton have lodged an £8.5m bid for Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue, according to sources in France.
Capoue, 24, has been trailed by several English clubs, including West Ham and Arsenal, but the Merseysiders are in pole position to bring him to England.
Toffees boss David Moyes is fearful of losing star man Marouane Fellaini and is believed to be preparing for life without the Belgian.
Capoue, who has been capped four times by France, is enticed by Everton's offer and is keen to switch to Goodison Park.
He earned a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year last season and is highly regarded within his home country.