Everton are reportedly set to step up their interest in signing Kelechi Iheanacho from Leicester City with the Foxes slapping a £15m on the Nigerian.
Iheanacho has just 12 months remaining on his current contract, which has left Leicester in a precarious negotiating position.
Unless a renewal is agreed, the Championship side risk losing him on a free next summer if they don’t cash-in now or in January.
According to Ignazio Genuardi, the Toffees are set to prioritise the signing of the Nigerian following the failure to secure any of their alternative targets.
The Premier League side looked at signing Moussa Dembele and El Bilal Touré, but were unable to make a satisfying enough offer to get either move over the line.
This means that Sean Dyche’s side are now going to turn their attention to Iheanacho, who is facing an uncertain future at the King Power Stadium.
Relegation to the Championship has raised doubts over whether the forward will remain at the club beyond this summer.
Iheanacho initially signed to Leicester from Manchester City in a deal worth a reported £25m in the summer of 2017.
He has been an important member of the squad since signing from City six years ago.
The striker has bagged 30 goals and 21 assists in the Premier League and also helped the Foxes earn consecutive top five finishes in the top flight table, as well as playing a crucial role in the club’s first ever FA Cup triumph in 2021.