Everton want to sign Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers this summer to compete with Jordan Pickford.
However, journalist Luca Bendoni claims Travers wants to be number one at a club, which is unlikely to happen at Everton.
Pickford will continue his reign between the sticks at the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.
The 31-year-old England international goalkeeper has played all 38 Premier League matches in successive seasons for Everton. His starting berth will be hard to usurp.
Travers is looking to leave Bournemouth because he wants regular playing time, and if Everton cannot offer that, it makes no sense to join them.
Everton hoped that Bournemouth’s £25 million signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic would pave the way for Travers to leave, but nothing is set in stone.
Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia departed this summer after their contracts expired, leaving Everton needing reliable cover for Pickford.
Manager David Moyes is targeting a proven back-up, and Travers fits the bill.
He has Premier League experience, although he spent part of last season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough and had a stint at Stoke City.
Whether Everton can convince him to make the move remains to be seen. They may have to turn elsewhere for a capable shot-stopper.
The Toffees have strengthened their ranks by adding promising French striker Thierno Barry from Villarreal after he netted 11 times this season.
Barry had the highest aerial win percentage of any striker aged 25 or under in Europe’s top five leagues this season and will fit the Moyes set-up like a glove.
Stats from Fbref, Sofascore.
