Rennes manager Bruno Genesio has already hinted at where Kamaldeen Sulemana lies in his plans amid links with Everton and Southampton.
Both the Premier League strugglers are said to have had bids of £22m accepted ahead of a busy transfer deadline day. The January window slams shut at 11pm with the Blues, under the new stewardship of Sean Dyche, looking to get some last-minute deals over the line.
The 20-year-old has been frequently linked with a move to Goodison Park this month but face competition from Nathan Jones' side.
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The ECHO understands that the Ghanaian is of interest to the Blues and is still within the thoughts going into the final hours of the window. Genesio has already outlined his ambitions for the forward.
Martin Terrier was sidelined for eight months at the turn of the year with a knee injury and he opened up the door for him to take his chance.
He said: "Replacing Martin, finding players of this quality in the transfer window, it is impossible. We will think, ask ourselves, and wait for the medical verdict.
"But there are players capable of compensating for its absence, or the possibility of a different system (4-3-3). We will reflect on what we will do. Jérémy Doku, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Désiré Doué will no doubt have the opportunity to show themselves more."
However with Sulemana's future under scrutiny in recent months, he was left out of the Rennes team in the build-up to the World Cup.
“No, it’s not a sanction, but I spoke with him, he must be able to understand that there are things you can do and others you should avoid doing," Genesio argued last month when probed over whether he was left out on purpose.
"From the moment I say things once or twice, the players have to understand quickly, because we are at a very high level. We have to admit mistakes, it’s normal, the game demands mistakes.
"But what’s important is to learn from your mistakes. And to learn quickly. It’s not a punishment, he’s not left out. He knows it. He has extraordinary qualities of speed and dribbling, but there are areas in which he must express his qualities. And in other areas he must have a little more discernment."
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