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According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, the Blues are preparing a £3.5m deal to sign the 28-year-old centre-back.

Genoa President Enrico Preziosi is unwilling to accept the modest sum and will instead use Everton's need for defensive reinforcements to demand £6.3m.

The newspaper claims negotiations are ongoing and likely to continue until a compromise has been reached.

De Maio has never been capped at international level and spent the entirety of his senior career in Italy.

Martinez has already admitted he wants to bring in three more players to strengthen his squad.

He said: "Pre-season has been a positive period and we've given youngsters an opportunity. We need to bring more three players into the squad.

"We will never bring a player in for the sake of it and to fill a position. We are looking for the right characteristics."