The Toffees are said to have abandoned their Joe Hart pursuit.

Manchester City’s Joe Hart on the substitutes’ bench

Should Everton fail to lure Joe Hart from Manchester City this summer, it would not be the end of the world.

For one, the Toffees already have Maarten Stekelenburg, who has performed impeccably so far – although it is still early days.

And Hart is not the only high profile goalkeeping addition Everton could make. Want a statement signing? Why not go for one of the best in Spain?

Sergio Rico’s reputation has continually grown since he was thrust into the Sevilla side amid an injury crisis two years ago. The 22-year-old is – and will be for years to come – David de Gea’s biggest threat to Spain’s number 1 shirt.

Sevilla’s Sergio Rico celebrates

As with any La Liga player, he has a pre-determined asking price which, if matched, Sevilla can do little about. €30 million (£25.7 million) would be a solid investment and not a great deal more than City are said to want for Hart – £20-million-plus, according to the Telegraph.

In previous years, Rico is unlikely to have looked twice at Everton – a grand old club, yes, but perennial bottom feeders in the Premier League’s transfer market.

Farhad Moshiri’s millions, though, are potentially game-changing. Ronald Koeman pushed to leave Southampton in favour of a move to Goodison; players from Swansea City and Crystal Palace required little persuading to follow suit; even their director of football was poached from Premier League champions Leicester City.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright and manager Ronald Koeman pose as the latter is unveiled

Prior to Steve Walsh’s appointment, Everton are said to have tried for Monchi, who remains Sevilla’s director of football. Such is the project on offer in the blue half of Liverpool, he was also tempted to up sticks – only for the Spanish side to dig their heels, preventing his exit.

Were Rico to view Everton in a similar light, there would be no such issue.

Rico in action against Barcelona

In other news, Leeds United midfielder sends message to Eddie Nketiah after Arsenal heroics