Norwich defender Max Aarons has emerged as a player of interest to Everton, according to Mail Online, although the Blues have yet to make their first move.
Everton's interest in the highly-rated full-back dates back to January 2020, and though the club have been linked with a move in every subsequent transfer window, Aarons has remained a Norwich player.
The 21-year old remained at Carrow Road when the Canaries were relegated from the Premier League last season, and but for some late season implosion it appears as though he'll soon be a top flight player once more, with Norwich currently sitting ten points clear at the top of the Championship.
However Mail Online claim that he'll have a number of suitors in the summer, with Everton facing competition from European heavyweights Barcelona and frontrunners Bayern Munich.
Contracted until 2024, Aarons isn't likely to be sold cheaply by Norwich in the summer, with the right-back seen as a crucial player by Canaries boss Daniel Farke.
High stakes reap high rewards
Aarons has impressed ever since making his Norwich debut in the 2018/19 season, playing 41 times in the Championship while only not managing the full 90 minutes on one occasion, and that quickly cemented him as a crucial player in East Anglia.
Though on paper Everton shouldn't be able to compete with the likes of Bayern and Barcelona, the Blues' saving grace could be their promise of regular football, something which the two aforementioned elite outfits wouldn't likely provide.
Either way, Norwich are value Aarons at £30million, meaning Everton will need to be willing to spend if they want to land their man. Though that might appear to be pricey, the Toffees could potentially benefit tenfold down the line if the gamble works.
If we're serious about competing in the Premier League and in Europe, signings have to be made that simultaneously improve the squad in the short and long term, and Aarons could be just the player to kick-start that movement for the club.