According to The Athletic, Everton director of football Marcel Brands is frustrated at the club’s interest in Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes and Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaking out early.
He feels this gives leverage to rival suitors of Everton targets and makes agreeing a reasonable price harder.
Arsenal are also strongly interested in the Brazilian defender, while Tottenham Hotspur are believed to have all but wrapped up a deal to bring the Danish defensive midfielder to North London.
Everton shipped 56 league goals last term, and they will need to improve significantly at the back if they want to challenge for a top-six finish next season.