Empoli left-back Mario Rui is on Everton's radar.
The Sunday Mirror says Everton have leapt ahead of Atletico Madrid in the race to sign £3m-rated Mario Rui.
The former Benfica player has been in Italy since 2011 and has been a revelation this year, helping unfashionable Empoli to seventh in Serie A.
Everton scouts have watched the 24-year-old in action several times but the Toffees feared they could be beaten to his signature after interest from Atletico.
Now, with the Spanish club handed a two-window transfer ban from next season by world governing body FIFA, they are back in pole position.