RAFA EYES MOVE FOR £6 M PIRES

EVERTON

Promised the biggest transfer fund in Toffees history, boss Ronald Koeman has identified several targets in England and Holland. But his plans will be shaped on whether or not he cashes in on contract rebels Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley. BRAZILIAN midfielder Gabriel Pires is on Rafa Benitez’s radar – but the Newcastle chief faces a battle to land the 23-year-old.

The former Juventus trainee (above) was loaned out to Leganes in La Liga before he had played a single game for the Turin giants and was signed permanently by the Madrid side last summer.

Benitez has been kept up to speed with the player’s progress by contacts back in Spain, and he also has the backing of chief scout Graham Carr.

Pires has a £6million release clause in his contract and falls into the age range preferred by Toon owner Mike Ashley.

However, there is also interest from West Ham and Everton. Zenit St Petersburg are also keen but a switch to Russia would not be the player’s first choice. TOTTENHAM plan to ditch £11million French flop Georges-Kevin N’Koudou this summer.

He’s barely featured since joining from Marseille last August.

The winger (below), 22, has yet to start a Premier League game and has been restricted to late sub appearances.

Mauricio Pochettino has run out of patience and is ready to recoup funds. Spurs will also bank £16m from Nabil Bentaleb’s sale to Schalke while defender Federico Fazio is set to join Roma.

DAY OF RECKONING Arsene Wenger reckons anything can happen as his side chase an unlikely top-four slot