Everton are currently in a race for the £6m-rated Hertha Berlin hitman Pierre Lasogga. The other English clubs involved are previously linked Newcastle and newcomers West Ham.
However, Germans Bayer Leverkusen are currently in pole position to land the 6ft 3in striker.
And Starsport have reported Leverkusen’s weekly salary offer in the region of £55,000 will have to be topped to turn Lasogga’s head, which may deter Everton’s efforts with attempts to continue a decreasing wage bill.
He bagged 13 league goals in 20 appearances including the crucial strike last Sunday which preserved their top-flight status.
Hertha want Lasogga back and hope to extend his current deal which expires in 2015.
But he has given his Premier League suitors hope by admitting he is keen to try his luck in England.
He said: “Since I started to play football, my dream has been to play in the Premier League.”