Everton
are close to finalising a deal to sign Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori on a
season-long loan.
The 22-year-old was close to joining Rennes but is now in talks over a move
to Everton following their failed attempt to bring in Gabriel Magalhaes, who
joined Arsenal from Lille in a £27m deal.
Everton have been on a £65m transfer spree, signing three players in the
last four days - midfielders Allan from Napoli, James Rodriguez from Real
Madrid and Abdoulaye Doucoure from Watford.
Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti now wants to focus on defensive reinforcements
having seen his side struggle defensively and manage only five clean sheets
in 21 games since his appointment in December.
Tomori impressed during the first part of Chelsea's last Premier League
season and was called up to the England squad in October before making his
senior debut in November.
He signed a new five-year deal in December but later fell out of favour
under Frank Lampard and did not play a single minute after the season was
resumed in June.
Thiago Silva's arrival at Stamford Bridge may mean Tomori could be set for
even less game time at the club and he may consider leaving in the search
for more first-team football ahead of the European Championships next
summer.
It could be Tomori's third loan spell out of Stamford Bridge after his
experiences in the Championship at Hull City and Derby County, the latter
under current Blues boss Frank Lampard.
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