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Everton remain set on appointing Steve Walsh as the club's director of football - despite reports of an initial approach being rejected by Leicester City.

The ECHO understands that super scout Walsh is keen on the new role at Goodison and that City are resigned to losing their head of recruitment.

But the Foxes do not want to let Walsh go without a fight and there are claims that a first move by Everton has this evening been knocked back.

Walsh played a key role in assembling Leicester's Premier League title winning side of last season and is credited with helping the club sign Riyad Mahrez, N'Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy.

And Everton, after accepting defeat in their chase for Sevilla's transfer guru Monchi, have set their sights on the 51-year-old talent spotter.

Reports tonight say that an official first approach for Walsh was turned away by City but it is believed that the Blues are determined to land the former Chelsea scout.

City's initial resistance is likely to be a negotiating tactic as they try and drive a hard bargain with Everton over the amount of compensation they want to free him from the new contract he signed at the end of last season.

But the Blues showed their ambition earlier this summer when they paid a £5m package to release manager Ronald Koeman from his Southampton deal.

Everton's billionaire investor Farhad Moshiri wants to implement the European-style director of football model at Goodison and Koeman, who has worked throughout his managerial career in such a framework, is in favour of making such an appointment.

Walsh has built a reputation as one of the finest scouts in European football after unearthing Mahrez, Vardy and Kante for modest prices and Everton want to tap into his extensive knowledge and proven track record with signings.

The former non-league player also doubles up as Leicester's joint assistant manager.