Everton have reportedly triggered the release clause of Aston Villa midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
The 26-year-old was unable to prevent the Villans from suffering relegation to the Championship last season, making 35 appearances for the Premier League's bottom club.
The Senegal international only joined Villa last summer in a £9m move from Lille, and Sky Sports News reports that he is unlikely to remain with the club in the second tier.
Everton are understood to have met the player's release clause of £7.1m, meaning that Villa have no choice but to accept the bid and allow the Toffees to speak to Gueye.
Should the deal go through then Gueye would become Everton boss Ronald Koeman's second signing since taking over at Goodison Park following the arrival of Maarten Stekelenburg.
