Everton will step up their interest in Wilfried Zaha following the Crystal Palace winger's decision to hand in a transfer request.
The big-spending Merseysiders have been quoted £100million for the Ivory Coast international after having two bids rejected.
Everton's second offer – of £70million plus James McCarthy and Cenk Tosun – was still not enough to tempt Palace into selling.
But Zaha's bombshell decision to demand a move just 24 hours before the transfer window closes, has given Everton fresh belief that a deal can be done.
They are now likely to test Palace's resolve again with a straight cash bid in the region of £80million in the next few hours.
Zaha, 26, feels a switch to Goodison Park will give his career fresh impetus after he returned to Palace in 2014 after an ill-fated shot at the big time with Manchester United turned sour.
Palace do not want to lose their star player so close to the transfer deadline.
The south London club have also rebuffed a £40million offer from Arsenal earlier in the summer.
Everton, who are set to seal a deal to sell midfielder McCarthy to Palace for around £3million, will now use Zaha's decision to ask for a move as the green light to go back with a third offer.
The Blues have just spent £29million on bringing in Moise Kean from Juventus , but want to add more firepower to Marco Silva's squad.
Palace were aware of Zaha's desire to seek a new challenge, but have been shocked by his decision to make his request official.
