Everton are reportedly preparing a bid to bring Derby County youngster Will Hughes to Goodison Park in January - according to a report in The Sun.
The 21-year-old midfielder has rejected a new deal with the Rams, which has placed Premier League clubs on high alert ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
That news has prompted Everton to try and steal a march on their Premier League rivals, as they ready a £15m offer to test Derby's resolve.
Hughes, an academy product, is under contract at Pride Parktill 2018, but opted not to extend his contract in a bid to see what the next 12 months hold for him.
The youngster, who made his senior debut for the clubin 2012, has previously interested Everton's rivals Liverpool - but a frustrating year of injuries for the player deterred the Reds from swooping.
The paper claims they have been told that Toffees boss Ronaldo Koeman has sounded out Hughes as a prime target, as the club look to add midfield reinforcements.
Derby however, will not want to lose a player with as much potential as Hughes, and especially not since he has been performing well in the Rams' bid for promotion backthe Premier League.
Hughes isn't the only target of Koeman's this January, with the Dutchman expected to make moves for Manchester United outcasts Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay.
The duo have hardly featured under Jose Mourinho since his arrival ahead of this season, and are both expected to leave Old Trafford. A successful move for Schneiderlin would see the player reunite with his former boss Koeman, after their time together at Southampton.