Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo is on a list of centre-backs Everton are considering as they look to secure a loan signing before the transfer deadline.
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the Blues want to add a defender to the squad before the October 5 cut-off and has said the club are not eyeing any permanent deals.
Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori is another who has been considered by Everton, who head into tonight's Carabao Cup tie against Fleetwood Town with only two fit centre-halves in the squad.
Mason Holgate has escaped the need for surgery but the toe injury he sustained in pre-season means he faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
Teenager Jarrad Branthwaite will be out for around a month after tearing ligaments in his left ankle during last week's cup tie with Salford City, which leaves Michael Keane and Yerry Mina.
Lewis Gibson was in Reading yesterday as his season-long loan move to the Championship leaders was confirmed in the evening.
Everton's recruitment plans are now fully focused on signing a new central defender and Todibo is on a list of players the club are mulling over.
Ancelotti was keen on a reunion with Paris Saint Germain defender Thiago Silva but the Brazilian's wage demands proved prohibitive.
20-year-old French youth international Todibo spent the second-half of last season on loan with Bundesliga side Schalke, playing alongside Jonjoe Kenny for the German outfit.
Schalke paid Barcelona a €1.5m loan fee and agreed to pay his wages in full for the length of the loan.
An option to buy Todibo for €25m, plus €5m in add-ons, was also agreed but Schalke decided not to turn his loan into a permanent move at the end of the season.
Todibo only joined Barcelona from Toulouse on a free transfer in July 2019 but is set to be made available again in this window and Everton are weighing up a move.
