Everton are optimistic in their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho, who has been linked with Premiership’s top three Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal at different points in time.

The Toffees boss David Moyes has a void to fill this summer after Lee Carsley moved to Birmingham, and 21 year-old Portugal international Moutinho seems the man for the job.

“The arrival of Joao Moutinho is a big possibility for us,” Everton director Keith Wyness is quoted as saying in A Bola.

The Portuguese club have however, ruled out the possibility of selling Moutinho and his team-mate Miguel Veloso, who is also linked with the Red Devils and Gunners.

"The squad is closed for this season and we have received no offers for Joao Moutinho or Miguel Veloso," Sporting president Soares Franco told radio station RTP.

"The two players are in our squad and we have no need to sell as we are financially secure.

"We have secured European football again for next year so have benefited from that.

"The squad we have at the moment is preparing to mount a title bid next season."