Everton are keeping a close eye on Leicester after the Foxes remarkably dropped into League One.
Reports have already claimed that Everton like Abdul Fatawu and could bid for the Ghana international, who David Moyes is said to admire.
Leicester held an option to buy Jordan James from Rennes for just €5m (£4m) had they managed to avoid relegation, but with the Wales international now back on the market, Everton are keen to secure his signature – according to Sportsboom.
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley.
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Everton want Jordan James
It is said that the Toffees are eager to take advantage of the fact Leicester will not be activating that £4m purchase option in the wake of relegation to League One, although Rennes are looking to capitalise on his excellent campaign.
James has been a shining light in this otherwise dismal campaign for Leicester, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 32 Championship appearances from central midfield, form which earned the 21-year-old the Championship Young Player of the Season award recently.
Sportsboom say Rennes hope to receive £20m for the man born in Hereford as a result of his impressive campaign, with a potential bidding war on the horizon as Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Wrexham and Roma are also interested.
With Idrissa Gueye potentially leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season, this would be a fantastic way for Everton to replace the 36-year-old with a younger option.
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Moyes also wants more from Harrison Armstrong, whereas James Garner is occasionally needed to play at right-back too, so Everton could certainly use a new central midfielder.
The Championship seems like a market Everton have a keen interest in.
Along with Fatawu and James, Everton also like Hayden Hackney – who was just named Championship Player of the Season for his efforts at Middlesbrough – while Ryan Alebiosu of Blackburn is admired by the Toffees as well.
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Thierno Barry of Everton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton. Tyler Dibling of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton. Carlos Alcaraz appears after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton.
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It is a market Crystal Palace have previously found success in through the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Adam Wharton, so it wouldn’t be the worst idea from Everton to have a look themselves.
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