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Everton fans growing a little perturbed at the lack of transfer incomings this season had better steel themselves.

Because the rumour mill is suggesting their expected swoop for Aston Villa's Idrissa Gueye may not be as straightforward as first thought.

New Aston Villa boss Roberto di Matteo stated last week that Everton had triggered the 26-year-old Senegal international's release clause of £7.1million.

Deal done then?

Not quite.

Marseille, for a start, are said to have also met the asking price for the defensive midfielder.

And now it is widely reported West Ham United are also poised to swoop for Gueye, who it's anticipated will have left Villa Park by the time the Championship season starts this weekend.

Ronald Koeman may have brought in one goalkeeper this summer but it's no secret he quite fancies another shot-stopper on the books before the transfer window slams shut (it's never, ever gently put-to) at the end of the month.

That custodian, then, could be Wojciech Szczesny, who no matter how many times you report on his career still requires the spelling of his name to be double-checked.

The Poland international spent last season on loan at Roma and has already agreed to another term at the Serie A side.

But now it's claimed Everton are pondering whether to hijack that deal and bring the 26-year-old to Goodison on a temporary basis for the campaign – and make him the club's number one cat.

Purr-fect? We'll see.

And yes, we really did just make that pun.