Everton have reportedly prepared a bid of upwards of £20m for Stoke City defender Harry Souttar.
The Toffees have watched the Australian in action for the Potters twice in recent weeks and are now said to have ramped up their interest.
According to Fichajes, the Merseyside outfit have now prepared to part with more than £20m to ensure that they capture the centre-back, who has been at the centre of plenty of speculation in the early stages of the Championship campaign after captaining his side.
Such news comes after rumours linking Toffees defender Yerry Mina away from the club, leading Rafael Benitez to search for a defensive heir at Goodison Park.
Souttar arrived at Stoke from Dundee United in 2016, and, after spending loan spells with Ross County and Fleetwood Town, he has made 16 Championship appearances for the Potters this season.
The 23-year-old centre-back also has nine Australia caps to his name, in which he has already scored five goals.
Sam Varley
