Fulham remain favourites to land Everton striker Andy Johnson for £10.5 million.

The Times says Keith Wyness, the Everton chief executive, issued a statement yesterday to deny that the club had received, let alone accepted, an offer from Fulham, but, with negotiations progressing well, the clubs expect a deal to be finalised in the coming days.

Johnson, who joined Everton for a club-record £8.6million fee little more than two years ago, has also attracted strong interest from Sunderland and Wigan Athletic, but he and his family are understood to favour a move to London. It appears that West Ham United, who have inquired about Johnson in the past, will not enter the bidding at this late stage.