Everton transfer news: Deadline day updates on Steven Bergwijn, Wilfried Zaha, Alex Iwobi and more

Everton will turn their attention to the PSV winger ahead of tonight’s deadline

With just a few hours remaining until tonight’s transfer deadline, Everton have switched their attention from Wilfried Zaha to PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn as they scramble to bolster their attacking options.

Crystal Palace earlier this week rejected Everton’s £70m bid for Zaha, which also included the transfer of midfielder James McCarthy and the loan of striker Cenk Tosun, according to the Guardian.

And now, Everton have turned to their Plan B.

The Daily Mail claims that the club are preparing a deadline day bid for PSV’s Bergwijn – previously a target for Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich – who will cost in the region of £40m.

But the Toffees are likely to face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Watford, who have been scouting the player all summer. Reports from Spain also suggest Sevilla are interested.

Meanwhile, a £30m bid for Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi was also rejected, reports the BBC, and Everton are now weighing up whether to come back with an offer of £40m which would meet Arsenal’s asking price for the 23-year-old, who is said to be open to a move.

Marco Silva has also identified defensive reinforcement as a priority before the season begins, to fill the gaping hole left by Kurt Zouma who has returned to Chelsea after his loan spell.

Zouma’s team-mate David Luiz is on their target list, along with Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake, but one name who looks set to be scratched off is Chris Smalling after Manchester United rejected a proposed loan deal for the 29-year-old.

Smalling’s future is in doubt following the transfer of Harry Maguire from Leicester City to Old Trafford, but United clearly believe they need to retain depth and experience in an area of the field which has been a particular problem in recent seasons.

Everton are also thought to be pushing hard for a midfielder with Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure their top priority, but a second bid of around £37m was rejected this week and Watford are reluctant to sell one of their leading players so close to the deadline.