Everton open Marko Arnautovic talks

Everton have began discussions with Stoke City over a summer move for Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian is in the final year of his Potters contract.

Arnautovic, 27, had his best season in the top flight last term as he netted 11 goals in 34 outings for Mark Hughes' side.

However, with his deal set to run out next summer, the Potters have been reluctant to match his wage demands, and this has stalled talks over an extension.

According to The Mail, the Toffees are inching closer to the forward after they agreed to trigger the £12.5m buy-out clause in his contract.

Arnautovic is likely to demand a four-year contract at Merseyside with wages in excess of £80,000-a-week.

He was recently part of the Austrian setup that were surprisingly ousted in the group stages of Euro 2016 in France.