Recent reports have linked Evans -- a Manchester City target in the summer -- with a move to Merseyside, but the Mail says he won't come cheap.

It adds that "although spending big in the summer has not returned positive results," Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is ready to back a move.

The asking price for Northern Ireland international Evans "is set to be huge," but he is not the only defender Everton are chasing.

They are also interested in Preston left-back Josh Earl, seen as "an ideal long-term replacement for Leighton Baines."

Everton had teenager Earl watched in Preston's recent home defeat to Brentford, but he was injured the following week and that could "slow down" efforts to sign him.