According to The Times reporter Paul Joyce, the conversations have gathered pace as Everton weighs the cost of taking on a player whose weekly wages stand at £300,000 [$403,470], a figure City hopes to recover almost in full over the course of a season-long loan worth around £12m [$16m].

Discussions between the two clubs are ongoing after Everton made contact with City to propose a season-long loan move. City's preference is to negotiate a permanent deal, but have not ruled out a temporary agreement.

Jack Grealish, struggling to meet expectations at Manchester City, is being eyed by Everton for a potential summer transfer.