Everton boss David Moyes is prepared to blow almost all of his summer transfer budget on one deal to prise Sean Davis away from Fulham.
Goodison Park boss Moyes has only got around £5 million left to work with and Everton have tabled virtually the lot - bidding £4.5million - in a move for the 23-year-old.
Everton were expected to offer only around £3million but Fulham have demanded at least twice that much.
After talks between Moyes and owner Bill Kenwright Everton have made Fulham an offer they will have to consider seriously.
That will leave Moyes only able to further add to his squad with loan deals or Bosman free transfers.
But it is an avenue he has opted to go down so he will at least be able to land one major signing of Premiership quality to add to a squad that just failed to qualify for Europe last season.