Everton to sanction Kieran Dowell's loan move to Rangers?

Everton are reportedly prepared to offload young midfielder Kieran Dowell to Rangers for the second half of the season.

The 21-year-old is a confirmed target for the Scottish Premiership leaders, who lost unsettled Ovie Ejaria to parent club Liverpool earlier this week.

Rangers are expected to step up their interest in the England Under-21s international in the coming days and, according to the Liverpool Echo, they may get their man.

Marco Silva is to discuss with the academy graduate the possibility of another short spell away from Goodison Park, having spent 2017-18 with Nottingham Forest in the Championship.

Dowell is expected to take up the option to leave, with his first-team chances at Everton limited for the forseeable future.