Everton have already had one bid rejected for a European talent, although they could be set to return again for him…

What’s the word?

According to O Jogo, via Sport Witness, the Toffees' initial €12m (£10.3m) bid for Goncalo Borges was rejected by FC Porto. They face competition from Estoril for his signature, with Porto holding out for €15m (£13m).

Having signed a new contract back in July with a €50m release clause, it is clear he is highly rated by the Portuguese outfit.

He could be Everton's own Gnabry

The 21-year-old has started the season in blistering fashion, which may be what has drawn the attention of Kevin Thelwell.

Borges’ early-season return of two goals in three games for FC Porto B suggests that he has a big campaign ahead of him, and Everton are keen to invest in the youngster now before he truly explodes onto the big stage.

Football Talent Scout have offered a report on him which supports the notion that he could make it right to the very top, claiming that the versatile attacker is most similar to Serge Gnabry.

When listing his strengths, Jacek Kulig noted Borges' “pace, dribbling, technique, ball control, creativity”. Everton could do with more of these attributes, especially given the five-substitute rule and Frank Lampard’s reluctance to go to his threadbare bench - the 44-year-old didn't make a single change in Tuesday night's clash at Leeds.

He actually has 10 goals across his career so far, all coming in youth football. However, making two senior appearances in Liga Portugal would suggest that he is slowly making the transition.

If he could recreate Gnabry’s rise from being written off at Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion to stardom at Bayern Munich, then the £13m fee that Lampard would have to fork out could turn into an incredibly shrewd move.

Looking at Kulig's scout report, Borges has the attributes necessary for success at a high level; and with time, patience and some maturity, there’s no reason not to believe that he won’t become a future star. It’s just a case of whether Everton are willing to take a calculated gamble to bring him to Goodison Park.