Everton and Brighton now "ready to make their move" to sign £17m midfielder

Everton are believed to be “ready to make their move” to complete the signing of a young midfielder in the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

Moyes expecting busy summer at Everton

David Moyes has come in and impressively steered the Blues comfortably clear of the Premier League relegation zone this season, with a move to Bramley Moore Dock happening this summer.

It is vital that Everton enjoy a productive transfer window ahead of next season, ensuring yet another relegation battle is avoided, and Moyes has spoken positively to talkSPORT about how busy he expects the summer to be.

This will be music to the ears of Everton supporters, who will hope to see some top-quality players arrive on Merseyside, and now a new transfer rumour has emerged.

Everton “ready” to move for 21 year-old midfielder

According to a new report from Wiw Sport [via Sport Witness], Everton are battling Brighton to sign Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra this summer. The Blues are “ready to make their move” and “working to secure” the services of the 21-year-old, who is valued at £17m by his current club.

Diarra is exactly the type of player Everton should be targeting in the summer window, in terms of being a youngster with plenty of long-term potential to grow into a world class player at their new Bramley Moore home.

The four-cap Senegal international has four goals and five assists to his name in Ligue 1 this season, invariably operating as an attacking midfielder, but he is also capable of shining deeper and even as a centre forward, which is perhaps why scout Jacek Kulig has described him as an “excellent” footballer.

Abdoulaye Doucouré could leave Everton this summer, and Diarra could be a perfect replacement if he can refine the off-ball parts of his game over time.

Granted, he is more attack-minded, but his versatility means Moyes could use him in several different ways, and he should only become more formidable as the years pass.