Everton will attend a Home Office hearing in London on Friday to try to acquire a work permit for Argentina international Ever Banega.

Manager David Moyes wants to sign the 21 year-old on a season-long loan from Valencia with a view to a permanent transfer.

However, the Toffees are aware there could be complications with the application because the winger has not played in 75 percent of Argentina's full internationals over the past two years.

Banega is highly-rated having been signed by Valencia for around £15million 18 months ago, although a failure to settle meant he spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

Everton will hope for a better outcome than last year, when their attempts to sign Inter Milan striker Victor Obinna on a similar deal floundered when the work permit application for the Nigerian was rejected.

Moyes is also determined to bring in another centre-back, with Middlesbrough's Robert Huth overtaking Philippe Senderos of Arsenal as the main target.

Everton still insist they have had no further contact with Manchester City over Joleon Lescott, although Eastlands sources are now suggesting former Everton defender Richard Dunne could be offered in part-exchange.