Ruben Vinagre set for Everton move

Everton are to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Ruben Vinagre in a transfer deal worth close to £9 million. The left-back, who has slipped down the pecking order at Molineux, has been told he is free to leave the side after a successful loan period at Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese side opted not to take up their option of a permanent transfer for Ruben Vinagre, and the left-back now heads to Goodison Park after impressing Everton's director of football Kevin Thelwell. Everton are seeking defensive reinforcements having already lost Lucas Digne during the January transfer window. So far this summer, only James Tarkowski has been brought to the club from Burnley.

Thelwell had previously been in the same role at Wolves, where he worked with Ruben Vinagre in the past. It is for this reason that the Toffees are moving swiftly to sign Vinagre, as a reported two German clubs have approached the player's club regarding the defender's availability.

The defender played in 12 games for the Portuguese top flight side on loan last season.