Former Everton star Michael Ball insists that the club may only be able to sign midfielder Denis Zakaria if other big clubs decide against making a bid.

The club have been linked with an interest in the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder in this transfer window.

Gladbach were reportedly demanding over £40m for him last summer but they are said to have slashed that asking price this summer, to around £17m.

Everton are not the only Premier League club credited with an interest, as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be considering bids.

Zakaria has been with Gladbach since 2017 and has made a total of 128 appearances for the club, while also winning 34 caps for Switzerland.

Ball believes Zakaria would be a fine signing for Everton but he insists that they will only be able to get a deal done if both Spurs and Arsenal refuse to follow up their interest.

Indeed, the club have only signed Demarai Gray for a fee this summer, at just under £2m, while they have also snapped up Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic on free transfers.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Ball said: “I think with Everton’s situation right now, I think they played their hand pretty early on in the transfer window with financial fair play.

“I think the majority of clubs know Everton’s financial restraints at this moment in time. Maybe Everton have to sit and wait to see if other clubs press the button on him or not, and whether they can get him for a cut-down price.”