Everton boss Sam Allardyce is preparing a bid for Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij.

De Vrij comes off contract at the end of this season as Lazio struggle to secure him to new terms.

The Liverpool Echo says the 25-year-old is understood to be on a shortlist of centre-halves the Blues are looking at.

De Vrij is entering the final six months of his contract with the Italian outfit and could sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in January.

Everton are prioritising the recruitment of a striker and a left-back next month but are weighing up whether to also make a move for Dutchman de Vrij.

The Blues face stiff competition to sign the Holland international from Atletico Madrid, Juventus and both AC and Inter Milan.