Everton are reportedly interested in signing Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin in the summer transfer window.
The 29-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal in January, with the defender admitting that there had been contact with the London outfit.
However, according to Le 10 Sport, Everton now lead the race for the former France Under-21 international.
Perrin has been with Saint-Etienne since 1997 – emerging through the youth ranks at the French club before making his first-team debut in 2003.
It is understood that a number of European clubs are monitoring proceedings.