Everton have made a shock £10 million bid for Middlesbrough striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

The Daily Mail says Everton look like emerging as the biggest last-minute spenders before the big Premier League kick-off, though, with Yakubu in the frame to smash their record transfer outlay of £8.6m, paid to Crystal Palace for Andy Johnson.

Manager David Moyes' £9m spending on Sheffield United centre back Phil Jagielka and Wigan left back Leighton Baines has looked relatively modest by this summer's standards.

But James Beattie's £3m move to Sheffield United and a long-term injury to James Vaughan, increased the club's need for more firepower.

After costing Middlesbrough £7.5m from Portsmouth, Yakubu's valuation will be at least £10m, particularly with his old club and Manchester City inquiring about his availability.