Everton and Newcastle are set to battle for Dutch Under-21 international Virgil van Dijk reports the Mirror.
Groningen’s decision to let Van Dijk talk to English clubs will spark a hotly contested race that Everton and Newcastle currently lead.
Both clubs considered January bids for the 21-year-old centre-back and have maintained a strong interest by having the player regularly watched. Swansea, Southampton, Reading and even Manchester United have also scouted Van Dijk over the past year.
Liverpool could enter the bidding, with manager Brendan Rodgers in the market for new defenders at the end of the season and looking closely at the Dutch market.
Groningen are demanding around £5million for Van Dijk, who has already made more than 50 appearances in the Eredivisie.