Everton have been backed to complete the signing of Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall before the 3 February deadline.
This is according to former Man United, West Ham and Sunderland scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 26-year-old has the quality to be a key asset to their squad.
The Toffees have had Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea in the first half of the season, but his repeated injury issues have led to suggestions he could be sent back to Stamford Bridge.
That would allow space in the squad to recruit another Chelsea loanee, while the Blues have been keen to move Dewsbury-Hall on this month.
He has made just 16 appearances across all competitions since his move from Leicester in the summer, and has started just one Premier League game.
As a result, the Blues are keen to move him on and are now open to a loan exit at this late stage of the window despite initial efforts to sell him permanently.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
It is thought a loan move would be more suited to Everton given their financial position.
Everton plot late swoop to sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on loan
Brown previously told Football Insider that West Ham are among the clubs plotting a move to sign the Chelsea midfielder to bolster their ranks this month.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and worked closely with David Moyes during their time at West Ham, revealed Dewsbury-Hall had been mentioned as a target for the Hammers during that spell.
“Dewsbury-Hall is a very decent player,” he told Football Insider.
“He’d certainly make a difference at a club of their level, and he’s got the qualities to be a real asset.
“It doesn’t look as if he’ll ever be a regular for Chelsea and they’re willing to let him move on, and I expect Everton will be one of the clubs keen to bring him in.
“When I was at West Ham with Moysey, he was one of the players who was brought up a couple of times but never ended up happening.
“So he’s obviously a player the manager is aware of and would be willing to bring in.
“A lot of issues in the January transfer market come from players not being available, but he’s one that is possible to get because he’s not involved at Chelsea.
“I could see him being an Everton player before the window closes.”
