Sources: Everton see audacious offer for Benfica star rebuffed, other Premier League clubs are keen

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC Football understands that Benfica have rebuffed Everton’s approach for the highly-rated Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luis.

Sean Dyche’s Everton look set to be in for a busy final few days of the January transfer window as they aim to add more depth and quality in the first team to fend off relegation.

Due to the club’s financial fair play situation, they have already been docked 10 points this campaign but were found guilty of breaching the rules for a second time which could lead to yet another points deduction.

As a result, a move for a new defensive midfielder seems to be high on the priority list and their choice is Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis.

Benfica rebuffs Everton offer

Despite the Toffees’ interest in the Portuguese midfielder, Luiz is seen as an important player by Benfica and they would not entertain him leaving, sources have confirmed.

Everton are understood to have asked about a loan deal with an option – but HITC understands this was rejected. Nottingham Forest have previously looked at Luiz too.

At 24 years of age, the former Monaco midfielder is approaching the prime years of his career and has made 25 appearances for the Portuguese giants and has been a key cog for Benfica this season.

With the future of midfielder Amadou Onana unclear heading into the summer, a move for the talented Portuguese ace, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League for a long time, makes a lot of sense.

Despite the interest there from multiple Premier League sides in the Belgian midfielder Onana, the Merseyside club have yet to be contacted by interested clubs over a January move with the Summer looking to be more likely for his departure.

Doucoure and Gueye future

Two midfielders who have been linked with a move away from Goodison Park this month are Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gana Gueye.

However, sources understand that Everton are set to hang on to these key assets this month, this is despite interest emerging from the Saudi Pro League.

With the Toffees keen on improving their engine room, these final 48 hours of the window promise to be busy for the Merseyside club.