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Everton FC transfer speculation today focuses on reports suggesting Roberto Martinez is willing to let Jelavic leave - at least on loan - in January, but not without improving his squad.

Indeed, Everton would prefer to offload the former Rangers hitman on a permanent basis to give Martinez a better chance of signing someone of the necessary quality.

Jelavic cost Everton £5m when he moved from Scotland in January 2012.

West Ham are desperate to add striking reinforcements with big-money summer signing Andy Carroll still unavailable through injury.

But Everton want to recoup as much of the £5m they paid for Jelavic before letting the 28-year-old leave and that could put him out of the price range of the Hammers.

In other Everton transfer news, the Blues are poised to join the chase for £2.5million-rated AIK Stockholm winger Nabil Bahoui.

The 17-year-old impressed at the recent Under-17 World Cup, finishing as top scorer with seven goals in his seven appearances in the competition (The Express).

Everton are also understood to be the favourites to land Clint Dempsey on loan this January. The prolific attacking midfielder only left the Premier League this summer to return to his native USA with Seattle Sounders, but is likely to seek a short spell on loan this season to keep his fitness up during the MLS close-season.

Dempsey has represented both Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur during his time in England, and both of his former clubs have also been linked with moves for him, as have Aston Villa.

However, the 30-year-old is said to be most tempted by a move to Everton, who are performing well this season under Roberto Martinez.

Meanwhile, Leighton Baines is facing a month out with a fractured toe, suffered during Everton's pulsating 3-3 draw with Liverpool on Saturday.

The England international was caught in the first half by Jordan Henderson but played on until the 50th minute when replaced by on-loan Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu.

Baines left Goodison Park on crutches and had a scan on Saturday night but will require further tests today to discover the full extent of the injury. The influential left-back is hopeful of returning within a month but will miss a demanding period for Roberto Martínez's side, including Premier League matches against Stoke City, Manchester United – who tried several times to sign the 28-year-old in the summer – Arsenal, Fulham and Swansea City (The Guardian).