Marcel Brands would love to sign Ajax wonderkid Ryan Gravenberch but fears Everton aren't going to be able to compete for the 18-year-old.
The Blues' director of football explained that Gravenberch is a midfielder with "so many qualities" and is likely to choose a club "at the absolute top".
He compared the teenager to Frenkie de Jong, who swapped Ajax for Barcelona in January last year, and also noted Memphis Depay's move from PSV to Manchester United in the summer of 2015 when outlining the transfer choices Gravenberch is likely to have.
"I think one player really stands out: Ryan Gravenberch at Ajax," Brands told ESPN Netherlands .
"I think he has so many qualities and has such a physical [presence] that he fits in any competition. In my opinion, this is a player of the outside category.
"I am afraid that he will immediately make a choice for the absolute top. Like Frenkie de Jong, for example, or Memphis Depay from PSV to Manchester United at the time."
Everton appointed Brands as their director of football in May 2018 and he signed a three-year deal.
The Dutchman's contract is set to expire this year and he is yet to put pen to paper on any fresh terms at Goodison Park.
However, he has hinted that talks are ongoing.
"England is a great country to work in," he said.
"I have been there for almost three years and it may be that I will stick to it for a few more years."
Brands also explained why every player in world football is not necessarily suited to play Premier League football and outlined the qualities needed to make it in the domestic top flight.
He pointed out former Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen as one player who found it "very difficult" in England.
"When I came to Everton - there was Davy Klaassen," Brands added.
"I remembered him as the absolute top. We saw him at PSV as a very good player who you would want to have in your team immediately, but he had it very difficult in England.
"I think it also has to do with what type of player you are. The Dutch players generally have good technical and tactical ability, but physically we are a little less. That is something important that you need to develop to to survive in the Premier League."
