By Greg Stobart
Everton are locked in talks over a €11 million deadline day deal for Sevilla star Alvaro Negredo as they look to fight off competition from Tottenham.
The Toffees made the 27-year-old striker their top target after their £8.6m move for Leroy Fer from Twente collapsed yesterday due to the Dutch midfielder’s knee problems.
David Moyes is encouraging the club to push through the move for Negred, while Spurs also retain an interest in the Spain international having held two meetings this month over a potential transfer.
Tottenham have only proposed a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season, while Everton want an immediate transfer providing Sevilla significantly lower their €18m asking price.
Sources have told Goal.com that a €11m bid is likely to be enough to land Negredo, with Sevilla in need of funds and the player keen to test himself in the Premier League.
Negredo, who started his career at Real Madrid, has scored nine goals in 19 La Liga matches for Sevilla so far this season.
Spurs are desperate to bolster their strikeforce before the window closes with Emmanuel Adebayor currently away on international duty and Jermain Defoe struggling with a pelvic injury, but are unlikely to be able to force through a deal to sign long-term target Leandro Damiao from Internacional.