Everton transfer news: Wilfried Zaha, Alex Iwobi, Chris Smalling, Abdoulaye Doucoure, David Luiz, Nathan Ake

Crystal Palace rejected Everton’s £70m bid for Zaha

Everton have stepped up their chase for a new attacking recruit but have been knocked back by both Arsenal and Crystal Palace as the end of the transfer window draws near.

Palace rejected Everton’s £70m bid for Zaha, which also included the transfer of midfielder James McCarthy and the loan of striker Cenk Tosun, according to the Guardian.

A £30m bid for Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi was also rejected, reports the BBC, and Everton are now weighing up whether to come back with an offer of £40m which would meet Arsenal’s asking price for the 23-year-old, who is said to be open to a move.

Marco Silva has also identified defensive reinforcement as a priority before the season begins, to fill the gaping hole left by Kurt Zouma who has returned to Chelsea after his loan spell.

Zouma’s team-mate David Luiz is on their target list, along with Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake, but one name who looks set to be scratched off is Chris Smalling after Manchester United rejected a proposed loan deal for the 29-year-old.

Smalling’s future is in doubt following the transfer of Harry Maguire from Leicester City to Old Trafford, but United clearly believe they need to retain depth and experience in an area of the field which has been a particular problem in recent seasons.

Everton are also thought to be pushing hard for a midfielder with Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure their top priority, but a second bid of around £37m was rejected this week and Watford are reluctant to sell one of their leading players so close to the deadline.