Everton are planning a bid for Olympique Marseille star Hatem Ben Arfa.

The News of the World says Everton boss David Moyes was interested in the left-sided player before he made a move to Marseille from Lyon in the summer of 2008.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid have also run close checks on him.

Ben Arfa, 23, who has two years left on his contract, has enjoyed an impressive second half of the season after falling out with coach Didier Deschamps before Christmas and helped Marseille claim a first league championship in 18 years.

Everton are thought to have made contact with his agent Frederic Guerra and will scout him again during the World Cup if he makes Raymond Domenech's final squad.

"I have demonstrated this season what I can offer at the top level," said Ben Arfa.

"To have a chance to play in England would be wonderful but the sporting project is more interesting to me than any sums of money."