Everton are in a two-way fight to make Arnaut Danjuma their first signing of the January transfer window.
Danjuma has been granted permission to leave his club Villarreal on loan until the end of the season with various outlets reporting that Everton are hopeful of persuading him to come to Goodison Park.
The ECHO understands that the 25-year-old – who has also attracted interest from PSV Eindhoven back in his native Netherlands – has a final decision to make between two Premier Leagues vying for his services.
Aston Villa were named as a potential suitor but Unai Emery – Danjuma’s former boss at Villarreal – does not seem keen on a reunion, stating: "Now I'm not thinking about him. Danjuma is a very good player but I think now, with his position, we already have players.”
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Sources at Tottenham Hotspur have played down links to the Dutch international while Nottingham Forest have also been tight-lipped with no impression that they might be close.
Danjuma previously had a spell in England at Bournemouth, who confirmed the £20m signing of Everton-linked winger Dango Ouattara on Thursday, with their new owner Bill Foley also having recently bought a minority stake in the Burkina Faso international’s selling club Lorient.
The Cherries also retain an interest in Danjuma and are keen to bring him back to Dorset.
If Everton do win the race to sign the attacker, they would need to register his signing before 12noon on Friday in order for him to be registered in time to make his debut in Saturday’s game at West Ham United.
Frank Lampard’s Blues are currently second bottom of the Premier League table with David Moyes’ Hammers side above them on goal difference in 18th place.
Everton are understood to want to bring in two new attacking players this month.
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