Everton allegedly had a loan bid for Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev rejected before the summer transfer window closed.
Blues boss Roberto Martinez turned his attention to the Russian international after missing out on Andriy Yarmolenko, reports the Daily Star.
Real have previously sent Cheryshev out on loan to Sevilla and Villarreal, but apparently decided against lending him to Everton.
Arsenal and Liverpool were also linked with the 24-year-old, who has a £147m buy-out clause in his contract, over the summer.
