Everton are bidding to complete a post-deadline deal to sign Arsenal's Alex Iwobi in a £35million transfer.
The Nigerian winger faces falling down the pecking order at Arsenal after the arrival of club-record signing Nicolas Pepe.
But he has been handed a lifeline after the Toffees turned their attention to the winger after being priced out of a move for Wilfried Zaha.
They had been eyeing a move for Zaha, who put in a transfer request late on Wednesday, but the Ivory Coast international is remaining at Crystal Palace.
That saw Marco Silva and Everton sporting director Marcel Brands make the decision to move back for Iwobi, for whom a £30million offer had previously been rejected, and push for a late deal.
Now the Toffees have submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League, giving them two hours to secure the 23-year-old.
Gunners boss Unai Emery was happy to keep Iwobi in north London, despite the arrivals of both Pepe and Dani Ceballos, the Spain midfielder who can also play further forwards.
Iwobi made 51 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring six goals.
But he completed the full 90 minutes on only 10 occasions, and faced with playing second fiddle at Arsenal once again this term, has instead shown a willingness to move to the north west for a new challenge.
Everton boss Marco Silva has already spent big on Juventus youngster Moise Kean to bolster his attack this summer.
The Portuguese is keen to unleash the Italian international alongside Richarlison this season, with Gylfi Sigurdsson operating behind.
But he has been pushing to land another wide-man capable of adding more pace and trickery to the Merseysiders' attack; Iwobi fits the bill for Silva.
PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn was another potential target mooted, the Dutch international well known to Brands.
