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Everton are reportedly favourites for Diego Llorente despite £22m Liverpool bid

John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Merseyside and Premier League rivals Liverpool and Everton are reportedly battling to sign Real Sociedad’s La Liga defender Diego Llorente.

Diego Llorente of Spain in action during the international friendly match between Spain and Bosnia & Herzegovina at Estadio de Gran Canaria on November 18, 2018 in Las Palmas de Gran...

Everton are the favourites to sign Spain international Diego Llorente this summer, with Noticias de Gipuzkoa claiming that Real Sociedad are expecting an offer from the Goodison Park club.

Llorente has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League for about a year now, having made his name as one of La Liga’s most impressive centre-backs since moving to the Anoeta from Real Madrid in 2017.

AS claimed over the weekend that Liverpool had made a £22 million bid for the versatile 25-year-old, who can also play in central midfield.

But reports emerging from the Basque Country state that Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton are at the front of the queue for Llorente’s signature, having made contact with their long-time target earlier in May.

Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands looks on before the Premier League match between Everton and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on January 13, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

The report adds that Everton are expected to offer around £26 million for a player who has two caps for the Spanish national team. Sociedad are just awaiting an official proposal before they can enter negotiations over the departure of one of their most valuable players.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool are willing to raise their offer and outbid their neighbours from across Stanley Park.

Diego Llorente of Real Sociedad  celebrates after scoring goal during the UEFA Europa League group L match between Real Sociedad and Rosenborg BK at Anoeta Stadium on September 14, 2017 in...