Everton agree personal terms with Baris Alper Yilmaz as he decides on Premier League switch
Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz is dead set on joining a Premier League club this summer amid mounting interest from Everton.
Yilmaz, 26, scored 12 goals and supplied 16 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions last season as he helped fire Galatasasaray to the Champions League knock-out stages and the Turkish Super Lig title.
The 38-cap Turkiye international then starred for his country at the World Cup, scoring and assisting in a 3-2 win over the USA in their final group stage match.
Everton are now bidding to sign Yilmaz and, according to the latest noise in Turkiye, have agreed personal terms with the former Ankara Keciorengucu winger.
Yilmaz is also attracting attention from Saudi Arabia, but he feels that he's at the right time in his career to move to the Premier League.
However, one of Everton's top-flight rivals have cropped up in the chatter surrounding Yilmaz's future.
Why Everton need to act quick so they don't miss out on deal
Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu told Lupen Sports on Sunday that Everton are "accepting" Yilmaz's wage demands as they are, even though the left-winger is willing to ask for less cash from the Merseyside club.
It goes to show just how badly he wants the move after a stunning season in Anatolia.
However, Sabuncuoglu has thrown his support behind Yilmaz snubbing Everton to instead join Tottenham.
Speaking to Lupen Sports, the journalist said: "Everton is accepting Baris Alper Yilmaz's salary demand. Barıs is also open to going for a lower salary.
"The player's side is thinking, 'an offer came from Saudi Arabia but we weren't [convinced]. We played in the Champions League, we became champions with Galatasaray. But the Premier League is different.' Barıs Alper wants to go to the Premier League.
"I wish he would go to Tottenham. They had a tough period last season but at least it's a big brand and a London club."
But what is the latest on Tottenham's pursuit of the Turkish star?
Everton have the upper-hand over Tottenham - here's why
Earlier on Sunday, Goodison News relayed claims coming out of Turkiye that Everton had submitted a bid for Yilmaz.
It was reported that although the Blues' £35million offer for the winger had been rejected by Galatsaray, they were going to send in a second proposal in the coming days.
There's clearly an agreement on personal terms and now the Toffees are doing what they can to convince Galatasaray into selling one of their star players.
That gives Everton an edge over Tottenham, with no credible news anywhere about any bids or offers being made by the North London outfit.
Turkish news outlet Turkish-Football said in March that Spurs have been scouting him "extensively", but nothing more than that.
And that's very good news for Everton, unless the picture changes in the coming days.