Ronald Koeman is expected to be unveiled as the new Everton manager in the coming weeks and, according to the "?Mirror, he is ready to make Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel his first signing.
The Southampton boss is widely expected to be confirmed as the new Toffees boss and will look to strengthen the squad, starting with a stopper now that Tim Howard has left the club, with Joel Robles reportedly not considered strong enough to be a first-choice goalkeeper at the club.
The report also claims that Koeman is monitoring Joe Hart's situation at Manchester City amid rumours that Pep Guardiola will look for a new goalkeeper once he arrives at the Etihad Stadium and, while Schmeichel is considered a more realistic option than the England international, the Foxes are determined to keep him by negotiating an improved contract.
4) Everton plotting a raid on champions Leicester for Schmeichel #EFC #LCFChttps://t.co/GvahKFuDNW pic.twitter.com/TGI5aIcOhF
Schmeichel has also attracted interest from Barcelona but Koeman is eager to fend off the competition and land his top target, who played a pivotal role in helping Claudio Ranieri's land a fairy-tale Premier League title.
Leicester, however, will be eager to hold on to the Danish keeper, especially considering increasing speculation that the Foxes' title-winning squad is on the cusp of being broken up. Jamie Vardy is the subject of interest from Arsenal while N'Golo Kante is reportedly ready to leave the King Power Stadium amid interest from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
COMPARED: Ron-Robert Zieler vs Kasper Schmeichel per 90 mins - https://t.co/ZZkYU7sNfQ
Very close. pic.twitter.com/kCTq9FWQOa