Everton offer £11m for Gonzalez

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Gonzalez has emerged as a prime target for Everton

Everton have bid £11m for Porto's Argentine midfield man Luis Gonzalez.

Boss David Moyes is attempting to push through a deal for the 26-year-old as Everton face competition from Juventus and Lyon for Gonzalez's signature.

BBC Sport understands Everton are now awaiting a response to the bid, which would beat the club record £8.6m paid to Crystal Palace for Andrew Johnson.

Everton are also poised to pay £5m for Wigan's Leighton Baines after Newcastle admitted defeat in the transfer battle.

Gonzalez - known as "Lucho" - is a key figure in Porto's line-up, and figured in Argentina's squad at the recent Copa America.

Whether Everton pull off the coup remains to be seen, as Moyes bids to end a summer of frustration in the transfer market.

Everton have signed Phil Jagielka from Sheffield United for £4m and signed South African midfield man Steven Pienaar on a season-long loan from Borussia Dortmund.

But 22-year-old Baines looks set to sign before the start of the season, with Moyes also hoping to close a deal for Gonzalez.