Everton have reportedly had an approach for Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Maxence Caqueret knocked back by the player as Kevin Thelwell seeks further midfield reinforcements.
The 24-year-old was one of the Lyon players the Blues were looking at as they exploit both the connection with prospective buyer John Textor, whose Eagle Football Group holds a majority stake in Lyon, and the Ligue 1 club’s need to offload players to ease FFP concerns.
Everton are in advanced talks to bring Orel Mangala back to the Premier League from Les Gones and it is not clear if they were targeting Caqueret as an additional signing.
Regardless, GFFN are reporting that the player has rejected a move to Goodison Park but the Toffees have also reportedly lodged an enquiry about Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah who is also interesting the likes of Fulham, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest ahead of the deadline.
The French club are said to be looking for upwards of €30 for the Ghanaian, however, which could put him beyond Thelwell’s budget.