Everton hope to complete £25m Cenk Tosun signing in time for FA Cup third-round derby against Liverpool

The Toffees have long been favourites for Tosun’s signature

The striker is top of Everton's wish list (Getty)

Everton expect to complete a £25m deal for Besiktas forward Cenk Tosun this week and would like him to feature against rivals Liverpool on Friday night in the FA Cup.

Sam Allardyce was keen to sign the striker during his time at Crystal Palace, and even after the England manager had left the Selhurst Park club they continued to pursue the 26-year-old.

But after failing to get a deal over the line in August, Palace faded from the picture and Allardyce’s determination to get his man, twinned with recruitment tsar Steve Walsh’s fondness for the Turkish international, mean that the Toffees have long been favourites for Tosun’s signature.

“Everton have made an offer but China offered 35 million euros for Cenk Tosun. And we said no. He is a very valuable player for us,” said Besiktas president Fikret Orman.

“Cenk wants Everton. Negotiations are ongoing, with good intentions.

“There is no finished situation right now. If the conditions are right for us, the transfer takes place.”

Orman has been in London for talks with Everton and the financials are close enough that Allardyce is hoping to use the forward, who has been in fine form in the Champions League this season, to relieve his tiring squad on Friday after a packed festive schedule.