Arsenal remain interested in Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta.
The Liverpool Echo says Arteta is widely admired and respected inside Everton and has captained the first team on several occasions.
There have been no official approaches for the player, but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer and Arteta would offer an ideal replacement should Cesc Fabregas get his wish to join Barcelona.
The Blues are still optimistic they can retain the services of a player who made a successful return from cruciate knee ligament damage last season - and who still has two years remaining on his present contract.
But David Moyes will want a firm commitment before the pre-season programme gets underway to avoid a repeat of the damaging backdrop to last summer's pre-season.
