Everton are challenging Southampton in the race to land Theo Walcott for £20million.
Arsenal may consider letting the England forward leave this month, with Walcott on the periphery of Arsene Wenger’s first-team plans.
And Everton are confident that they can beat the Saints to Walcott’s signature this month.
Everton would be able to get close to Walcott’s current deal, worth £110,000 per week; while Southampton’s financial limits would mean the 28-year-old would need to take pay cut to rejoin the club where he started his career.