Everton Football Club have been linked with a move for David Wheater.

Since dropping out of the Premier League on the final day of last season, Middlesbrough have had a job on their hands keeping hold of their star players.

Stewart Downing has left for Aston Villa, whilst just last week Gareth Southgate sanctioned the £11million double sale of Tuncay Sanli and Robert Huth to Stoke City.

The Independent claim the Toffees, who sold Joleon Lescott to Manchester City last week, are set to test the resolve of the Championship club with a £5million bid for Wheater.

The young defender is the one player, above all, who Southgate would love to keep at the Riverside Stadium, but the player may be tempted to make a swift return to the top-flight.