Follow the major changes at the Nou Camp in our FREE Barca newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has made Ajax’s Davy Klaassen his No.1 target – and that’s bad news for Wayne Rooney.

Koeman made a secret visit to Amsterdam to watch Klaassen produce a masterclass performance in Ajax’s 4-1 Europa League demolition of Lyon in midweek.

And he is now ready to sanction a £20million bid for the 24-year-old attacking midfielder.

If Everton are successful in prising Klaassen away from Ajax, the chances of Rooney making an emotional return to Goodison Park from Manchester United would recede significantly.

Klaassen is an all-round midfield talent, but has weighed in with 20 goals in 51 games this season.

And Koeman has earmarked him for the No 10 role at Everton – the same position that Rooney would covet.

The Everton boss wants to add youthful power and pace to his attack.

(Image: Everton FC/Getty)

And Rooney’s sluggish performance for United against Swansea last weekend has set alarm bells ringing at Goodison that it may not be worth the money to bring him back from Old Trafford.

The England captain has two years left on his contract and United are desperate to get his £300,000-a-week salary off the wage bill.

Sunday Mirror Sport understands that Koeman was so keen to keep his trip to cast an eye over Klaassen secret that he watched him in a private executive box at the Amsterdam Arena.

(Image: PA)

More than 25 club scouts were in attendance to watch Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso.

But Koeman only had eyes for Klaassen – and saw him overshadow Tolisso with a masterful performance.

Klaasen, who was handed his first Holland cap by Louis van Gaal just before the 2014 World Cup, was named Dutch Footballer of the Year last season.