Exclusive: Everton told £30m Medina offer would be accepted

Everton will go toe-to-toe with Aston Villa and Newcastle United for Facundo Medina’s signature this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Medina’s form for Lens this season has drawn interest from the Premier League trio ahead of the transfer window, with the Ligue 1 side open to selling players this summer due to financial problems in France.

David Moyes is on the hunt for a left-sided centre-back on Merseyside as Everton look to flex their newfound financial muscle, particularly given the speculation surrounding Jarrad Branthwaite’s future.

Medina is capable of playing at both centre-back and left-back and would tick several boxes for Everton, with sources telling Football Insider that Lens value the Argentine in the region of £25m to £30million.

Football Insider sources have also reported interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle in the 25-year-old, and with Everton yet to firm up their interest in Medina, the race to sign him won’t be straight-forward.

Everton transfer priorities clear amid Facundo Medina interest

With sources telling Football Insider that Lens are one of a number of French clubs who could forced into selling players due to financial pressures, Medina is expected to be on the move this summer.

Everton’s search for a left-sided centre-back has already seen them scour Europe ahead of the window opening, with Football Insider revealing on 11 April that Moyes is a big fan of Feyenoord’s David Hancko.

Burnley’s Maxime Esteve is another name on Everton’s list as a potential replacement for Branthwaite, but Moyes will be keen to ensure that the 22-year-old stays put before looking to strengthen in defence.

Jarrad Branthwaite future vital for Everton transfer plans

Football Insider revealed on Sunday (20 April) that Michael Keane is a certainty to leave Everton as his contract expires this summer, but Moyes will be dead-set on keeping his fellow centre-back Branthwaite.