Everton and PSV Eindhoven probably spoke about Denzel Dumfries before the start of Euro 2020, says former Toffees defender Michael Ball.

While the Netherlands crashed out of the Euros in disappointing fashion after being eliminated by the Czech Republic, Dumfries still managed to have a good tournament.

Despite playing as a wing-back, the 25-year-old was able to come up with a couple of goals and he is now being heavily linked with a move to Everton.

According to Dutch outlet ED, the Toffees have been trying to get a deal done for Dumfries, with director of football Marcel Brands the one spearheading the move, and Ball reckons this has probably been in the pipeline for some time now.

"I think Everton and PSV held talks before the Euros," the retired full-back exclusively told FFC. "He had a fantastic Euros. The gamble [not selling prior] has worked out for PSV.

"They would like to bring top dollar for him. They like to sell to the top clubs in Europe, in Spain, in Italy, in Germany, and that's how they work as a football club.

"It's a gamble PSV have played and it's worked in their favour."

Indeed, after his performances in the Euros, Everton's pursuit of Dumfries looks far from being a simple one.

If reports are to be believed, it now looks like the likes of Inter Milan and Bayern Munich are also interested in the Netherlands international, complicating things for the Toffees to say the least.