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Everton are closing in on Lille defender Adama Soumaoro while Blues boss Sam Allardyce also wants Christian Benteke and Steven N’Zonzi according to reports.

The Mail say that Everton are keen on signing Soumaoro and with the player valued at over £20m, a sale would help the financial problems at the struggling French club.

Despite his side being third from bottom of the Ligue 1 table, the versatile 25-year-old who can play anywhere in the back four, has attracted to some excellent reports from Blues scouts in recent weeks report the Liverpool Echo .

Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Everton’s Premier League rivals West Ham United have also watched Soumaoro but the Blues appear to be in pole position for the player who has now returned to action after missing the start of the season with tendinitis in his Achilles.

Meanwhile, the Mirror reckon that Allardyce is plotting January swoops for a couple of players he has previously worked with, Benteke and N’Zonzi.

Former Liverpool striker Benteke - who as with Allardyce at Crystal Palace last season - netted 17 goals last term but has found the net just once so far in the current campaign.

Allardyce is also hoping to be reunited with N’Zonzi - who he signed for Blackburn Rovers - with the Frenchman looking to quit Sevilla.

The 29-year-old, who is also wanted by Arsenal, is rated at around £23m but the new Blues boss has supposedly been told he will need to sell in order to buy when it comes to reshaping his midfield.