Everton are attempting to seal a £20 million ($27m) deal for Sunderland defender Trai Hume before the transfer deadline, sources have told ESPN.
The Northern Ireland international, an ever-present as Sunderland qualified for the Europa League in their first season back in the Premier League, is under contract until 2030 at the Stadium of Light.
But sources have said that Sunderland are prepared to offload their 24-year-old vice-captain following interest from Everton and clubs in Spain and Germany.
Everton manager David Moyes has called on the club to make further additions to his squad before next Tuesday's deadline after spending just £60m ($81m) so far this window.
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"We definitely need to continue to make additions, that's for sure," Moyes said after Wednesday's Carabao Cup win against Preston North End.
"We thought the squad was quite thin last year, and at the moment, if you take the way the numbers work, we are still one down from where we were even last year.
"I still think we are short in the squad and I still think we are short in quality in some places and I need to try and add that."