Everton will have to fend off interest from home and abroad to land Andre Gomes this summer.
The Blues want to turn the 25-year-old's loan from Barcelona into a permanent switch and are considered favourites to sign him at this stage.
But the ECHO has learnt Everton face competition to secure Gomes on a long-term deal.
Spurs have been credited with showing interest in the Portuguese international but the midiflelder also has admirers in Italy and Spain.
Roma and Inter Milan are understood to be among those who are keeping tabs on Gomes.
Everton remain in a strong position to land the former Valencia man but negotiations with Barcelona could also be tough.
The Blues, who earlier in the summer signed Lucas Digne from the Spanish giants, had to wait until the closing stages of deadline day last August to land Gomes, on loan, and Yerry Mina in a permanent deal worth an initial £27.5m.
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Barca drove a hard bargain but director of football Marcel Brands refused to budge on his valuation of Mina and, eventually, an agreement was struck.
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Everton are confident Gomes prefers to remain at Goodison but offers are expected to come in from around Europe, with the midfielder having proven himself in the Premier League this season.
Gomes is available for the Blues' final game of the campaign against Spurs having served a three game ban.
