According to reports in Spain, Everton are set to beat city rivals Liverpool to the signing of Barcelona’s Adama Traore.
The Reds had been strongly linked with a move for the La Masia star, with reports that a delegation from Anfield flew to Barcelona to try and thrash out a deal.
But Everton are apparently set to hijack Liverpool’s bid for Traore as they look for reinforcements ahead of the new Premier League season.
Roberto Martinez has already made one summer signing from Barcelona, young winger Gerard Deulofeu returned to Merseyside for a deal worth £4.3million.
The Toffeemen have also been linked with a move for Barca’s Croatian starlet Alen Halilovic, but face stern competition from West Ham United.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has built up a strong relationship with the Catalan giants during his tenure at Goodison Park and is hoping his connections are enough to force through a deal.
Barcelona’s intentions regarding Traore are unclear, they want the highly regarded winger to leave the club but it’s not clear if they want him to leave temporarily, or permanently.
Martinez is keen to strengthen his side with a striker, playmaker and centre-half and has pledged to keep his sought-after star John Stones, who has been the subject of an aggressive pursuit by the title holders, Chelsea.
