Villarreal chief executive Roig Negueroles has insisted Everton have not made a formal offer for attacker Arnaut Danjuma - but that there is interest in the Dutchman.
Danjuma has been linked with a move to Everton during the the January transfer window with reports in Spain claiming negotiations are taking place over a loan deal until the end of the season. A new report, from the I, also states that the Blues are in talks over a move for the Holland international.
Despite playing a big part in Villarreal reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, Danjuma is not thought to be in new manager Quique Setien’s plans.
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And Negueroles was reported by AS as saying: "Right now, we don’t have a formal offer, it’s true that there are rumours, there is interest, but I think the market is starting to move now and we’ll see how it evolves.
"I don’t know what will happen in the next few weeks. No player has asked me to leave the club, I think everyone is comfortable here."
Danjuma, who in the past has been linked with Everton's rivals Liverpool, has scored 22 goals in 51 games for Villarreal since his €25m move from Bournemouth in August 2021.
The fact that the 25-year-old has experience of English football - he netted 17 goals in 52 appearances for the Cherries - will be a bonus to the Blues, who are also said to be interested in signing Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga.
Frank Lampard's side have scored just 14 goals in 18 Premier League games going into Saturday's huge clash at home to fellow strugglers Southampton. Everton boss Lampard will go into that match, though, with the backing of the club's owner Farhad Moshiri.
Moshiri said tonight: "I have faith in the work being done not only by our manager, but our Director of Football and our board of directors. That faith is based on my knowledge of the depth and quality of work being done both at Finch Farm and the Royal Liver Building - and of the plan that is in place. I am confident that we have skilled, experienced and focused professionals at all levels of the Club. We are all agreed that our current league position must and will improve."
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