Everton are closing in on a deal that would see Conor Coady arrive at the club on loan, the ECHO understands.
The Blues initially considered the centre-back at the start of the summer as part of efforts to strengthen a back line blighted by injuries last season. That work led to the signing of James Tarkowski but interest in the Wolverhampton Wanderers defender persisted and speculation of a potential move increased this week.
The injuries suffered to Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey, who both started alongside Tarkowski in Everton's season opener with Chelsea, intensified interest in Coady. The 29-year-old did not start in Wolves' first game of the season against Leeds United and is desperate to play first team football as he looks to cement his place in England's World Cup squad. If a deal to join Everton is confirmed it would also see him play alongside Jordan Pickford, England's number one, and Tarkowski - who still holds ambitions of challenging for the squad.
READ MORE: What Amadou Onana did on his first day at Everton as new banner spotted
READ MORE: Duncan Ferguson sends message to Frank Lampard after Everton loss to Chelsea
Mina and Godfrey both missed significant periods of last season due to injury. Neither finished the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, with Godfrey stretchered off and taken to hospital in the early stages of the first half. He fractured a bone in his leg. During the second half, Mina pulled up with an ankle issue.
Both are expected to be out for a sustained period of time, leading Frank Lampard to simply say: "When it rains, it pours." His preparations for the new season had already been dealt a serious blow by injury to striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is expected to miss the opening weeks of the campaign.
Talks of a potential move to bring Coady, who is from Merseyside, to Goodison Park stepped up last week. He captained Wolves last year but a pre-season tactical switch from manager Bruno Lage has led to him falling out of the first team. Earlier this week Lage accepted he still had decisions to make about his defence and said he would "understand what is best" for Coady amid Everton's interest.
Lampard refused to be drawn into commenting on links to Coady before the Chelsea match. Coady has vast experience playing in the middle of a three-man central defence - which Lampard looks set to continue with this season.
Discussions are now advancing on a move likely to see Coady sign for Everton on loan, with the Blues having an option to buy him. Any deal would see him follow former Wolves teammate Ruben Vinagre to the club. Vinagre joined on loan from Sporting and made his Everton debut alongside fellow new signings Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil on Saturday. Everton's director of football Kevin Thelwell was once Wolves' sporting director and his insight on both Vinagre and Coady is likely to have been influential.
The move for Coady comes as 20-year-old Lille midfielder Amadou Onana is on the verge of being confirmed as an Everton player. The Belgian international was at Goodison Park for the Chelsea game and posed for pictures with supporters. Idrissa Gueye is also close to a return to Everton from Paris St Germain while efforts to find a forward - already deemed a requirement before Calvert-Lewin's injury - are also ongoing.
READ NEXT:
Everton seek new type of player as Lampard and Thelwell close in on transfers
Everton 'ready to battle' with Chelsea and Manchester United for £15m striker
Thomas Tuchel explains how Everton made it hard for Chelsea to secure 'tough win'
Frank Lampard breaks silence on Amadou Onana transfer to Everton
Micah Richards sends Idrissa Gueye message to Frank Lampard over Everton return
