According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Everton remain keen on adding Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino to their ranks, and over the weekend have made new contact to sign him.

What's the word?

It's believed that the Toffees were interested in the Uruguay international several weeks ago, but the Serie A outfit didn't want to listen to any offers at the time.

However, it appears as if things have changed slightly as Milan are now open to a deal as the two clubs have initiated contact again.

There is less than a week remaining in the transfer window so Everton are working against the clock to push this one over the line with Pedulla claiming that Nerazzurri would rather sell him outright than a loan with an option to buy.

Kickstart the Ancelotti revolution

Everton are yet to make any new additions since Carlo Ancelotti took the reins last month, so he's still mainly operating with the side that former boss Marco Silva put together and subsequently struggled with.

Director of Football Marcel Brands can kickstart the club's revolution under the Italian with the signing of Vecino.

The Toffees squad depth at central midfield is questionable at best with Andre Gomes out for the season, both Morgan Schneiderlin and Fabian Delph entering their 30s and young 21-year-old Tom Davies still finding his feet at this level.

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Vecino would add a bite to that midfield, perhaps one they currently lack in terms of overall quality as he's been tried and tested on Europe's biggest stage - playing eight matches across the previous two seasons - as well as on the highest international level, the World Cup.

Per WhoScored, the 28-year-old is averaging 1.9 tackles per game in the league, which increases to 2.3 per game in the Champions League this campaign.

Calcio Mercato has described him as a "cool-headed passer" and a "strong presser," suggesting that he's quite the enforcer in the heart of the pitch.

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Only Schneiderlin can match his tacking numbers this season with the likes of Delph and Davies some way off.

It remains to be seen how much the 41-cap ace would cost, but Transfermarkt currently value him at £20.7m so that provides some scope into the possible price he would come at.

And in other news, Everton could have fierce competition for the signing of this fellow Serie A superstar...