Everton are now in talks to sign Southampton forward Che Adams.
The Scotland international has been linked with a move to Goodison Park throughout the summer as Sean Dyche searches for a new centre-forward.
Indeed, according to BBC Sport, the Blues have now opened talks with Southampton for the 27-year-old in a deal worth £12m.
However, Saints boss Russel Martin has now claimed he was unaware of Everton’s bid, but further stated that any move for Adams would ‘depend on’ the Blues meeting the player’s valuation.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of Southampton’s clash with Plymouth Argyle this weekend, Martin was asked about the Adams situation, but stated: “I don’t know anything about the bid. If it happened, it would have happened late last night.
I haven’t had a chance to catch up with (director of football) Jason [Wilcox] this morning. I’ll wait to hear about that.”
He continued: “It will all depend on how close the bid is, I guess, to the valuation of us as a club. I would love to keep him, if I’m being honest, he’s shown the impact he can have in this league in the two games.”
Everton look to be close to securing much needed striking reinforcements in Che Adams
Che Adams is into the final year of his current deal at St Mary’s and while Martin claims that the player is ‘happy’ at the club, he hinted that a departure could be likely.
Martin said: “He’s (Adams) really happy here but we have to see what happens, right? Ideally, you’d like to avoid people entering the final year of their contracts.”
Everton desperately need to add firepower to their insipid forward line this summer having managed just 34 Premier League goals last season.
The Blues have also been linked with fellow Southampton attacker Kamaldeen Sulemana, though BBC Sport states that the club are ‘finding it difficult’ to agree terms for the forward.