West Ham United's hopes of signing a former Barcelona player are now fading, as three Premier League clubs, including Everton, have recently stepped up their interest.
Toffees stepping up pursuit of defender amid European push
The Toffees have been inconsistent at times this season, but they returned to winning ways against Newcastle United at the weekend, with Thierno Barry netting a late goal to secure a 3-2 victory at St. James' Park.
With just ten Premier League games remaining, the Merseysiders are sitting in eighth place, which means they could push for European qualification, and Gary Neville has suggested David Moyes has got his side punching above their weight.
Neville said: "I think what he's getting out of these players here and the position they are in the league and the points total they have is absolutely fantastic because out on that pitch, it's not a spectacular team - it's not.
"They've got a very good set of pros who put a real shift in, and that, to be fair, is a great quality."
However, the Sky Sports pundit's comments suggest Moyes may need to make improvements to his squad this summer, and the Toffees have stormed into the race for a right-back.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Everton are now stepping up their pursuit of Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, having sent scouts to watch him in action against Girona at the weekend.
Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also named as potential suitors, while West Ham United were pushing hard to sign Mingueza last month, but their hopes are fading, amid interest from three sides performing far better than them in the Premier League this season.
oscar-mingueza-celta-vigo
Moyes is looking to bolster his options at full-back this summer, given that Jake O'Brien has been operating in the unnatural role of right-back for large parts of the campaign.
"Revelation" Mingueza could be exciting signing for Everton
Lauded as a revelation at Celta Vigo by journalist Zach Lowy, the former Barcelona man has been one of his side's most consistent performers in La Liga this season, averaging a 6.71 WhoScored match rating, the joint-third highest in the squad.
The Spaniard could be an upgrade on O'Brien in an attacking sense, having created four big chances in La Liga, with the Everton star failing to create a single big chance in the Premier League.
Everton's Iliman Ndiaye celebrates Thierno Barry scoring their third goal Related
[Everton hatch plans to sign "phenomenal" Champions League star outscoring Beto and Barry combined](https://www.footballfancast.com/everton-hatch-transfer-plans-sign-alexander-sorloth-beto-barry/ "Everton hatch plans to sign "phenomenal" Champions League star outscoring Beto and Barry combined")
The Toffees are keen on signing a new striker.
Not only that, but the Celta Vigo star is averaging 2.3 tackles per 90, compared to just 1.8 from the Ireland international, which indicates he is solid from a defensive point of view too.
Mingueza will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season, at which point his contract expires, and he could be an exciting signing for Everton, who may need to bring in a new right-back, given that Seamus Coleman's time at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is set to come to an end.