EVERTON have raced ahead of Arsenal in the pursuit of Charlton youngster Ademola Lookman.
The Gunners were thought to have been favourites for the winger with Liverpool being the main rivals for his signature.
But the Toffees have made the England under-20 international a top target after he was recommended by Director of Football Steve Walsh, who brought N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez to Leicester.
With Yannick Bolasie ruled out until the end of the season, Lookman is thought to favour a move to Goodison Park, which would give him the best possible chance of regular first team football.
But a sticking point in the deal could be Charlton’s demands for the player to be loaned back to The Valley for the remainder of their League One campaign.
Despite a poor start to the season and fans boycotting the club because of their unpopular Belgian owners, the Addicks are just four points off a playoff place and believe they can challenge for promotion under new manager Karl Robinson.
London rivals Crystal Palace offered £6m to sign Lookman on transfer deadline day in summer, but Charlton rejected their advances.
The Eagles could attempt another swoop for the player in January, with Celtic also interested, but neither club intends to enter a bidding war.
Lookman has scored nine goals since bursting onto the scene at Charlton last season and Everton want any move to be completed as close to New Year’s Day as possible.
The Toffees are also hoping to make a more high-profile swoop for £8m-rated Argentina midfielder Ever Banega, from Inter Milan.
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