Newcastle United are ready to test Everton's resolve over keeping £60million-rated home-grown hero Anthony Gordon before the end of the January transfer window.
Gordon was pursued aggressively by Chelsea in the final days of the window last August but the Blues had no desire to sell and while the Londoners retain their interest in the winger's signature, the Magpies - who enquired about Gordon earlier in the summer - are growing in confidence that they can prise him from Goodison Park.
Boosted by a huge potential transfer war chest courtesy of their takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Eddie Howe's side have climbed to third in the Premier League table and are hoping to bolster their squad to maintain a Champions League push in the second half of the season.
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The St James' Park outfit are hopeful of tempting Everton with a potential £40million deal consisting of an initial £25million fee with up to £15million in add-ons, especially given that the managerless Blues might have to turn to permanent deals this month after Arnaut Danjuma, who they were on the brink of signing on loan from Villarreal, has been discussing a switch to Tottenham Hotspur instead.
Everton have always intended on bringing in two attacking reinforcements this window but with just a week to go until the deadline, director of football Kevin Thelwell has yet to succeed in bringing any new faces through the door.
Following Frank Lampard's sacking, Under-21s coach Paul Tait and former player Leighton Baines, who takes charge of the U18s side, led the first training session for the senior squad at Finch Farm since the 2-0 defeat at West Ham United and although neither Gordon or Amadou Onana were present, the ECHO understands they were both planned absences.
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