Everton are set to ramp up their interest in Hull City winger Jaden Philogene-Bidace, according to the Daily Mail.
The 22-year-old was in sensational form for the Tigers last season, notching 12 goals and six assists in 32 Championship appearances.
He scored four times in the final seven games of the season as Hull stepped up their effort to secure a place in the Championship play-offs.
However, his heroics weren’t enough to steer the Tigers into the top six. They finished seventh, three points adrift of the play-off places.
Philogene-Bidace’s performance for Hull last season hasn’t gone under the radar, with several elite clubs across the continent now interested in signing him.
Premier League clubs like Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United are reportedly interested in the winger, while Spanish giants Barcelona have added him to their summer wishlist.
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund are also among the clubs interested, with the winger poised to leave the MKM Stadium this summer.
Among the plethora of interested clubs, Everton are stepping up their interest in Philogene-Bidace as they look to steal a march on the competition.
The Toffees are lining up a potential £16 million move for the former England Under-21 international, who would be an excellent addition to Sean Dyche’s squad.
Philogene-Bidace came up through the youth ranks at Aston Villa before joining Hull last summer in a deal worth around £5m.
However, his impressive performances have seen his valuation skyrocket, with Hull demanding more than three times the amount they paid to secure his signature.
Philogene-Bidace would be a cost-effective alternative for Everton, who had prioritised a move for Newcastle United winger Yankuba Minteh.
The Gambia international reportedly wants to join the Toffees and has turned down a move to European giants Olympique Lyon, but Newcastle’s £40m asking price is a deal-breaker for Everton.
Everton have already bolstered their squad with two new players, and a third is nearly done with Olympique Marseille striker Iliman Ndiaye finalising his move to Goodison Park.
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