Toffees close in on Elm deal

Everton are closing in on a deal to sign Rasmus Elm as Joleon Lescott jetted off with his team-mates to the club's training base in the USA.

Sweden international Elm, who has also attracted the interest of Fulham, was given a guided tour of Everton's Finch Farm training ground last week and has since returned home as the Toffees prepare to tie-up a deal for the 21-year-old Kalmar midfielder, who has won nine caps for his country.

While Elm's expected arrival in the coming days will swell Everton's first-team ranks, the Toffees remain determined to retain the services of highly-rated England defender Lescott.

The Liverpool club turned down a £15million bid from City on Friday but are braced for the big-spending Eastlands outfit to return to the negotiating table with an increased offer.

For the moment, however, Lescott remains an Everton player and is heading for Seattle and a week-long training camp ahead of a pre-season friendly against River Plate in Edmonton, Canada on Sunday.

Manager David Moyes has been steadfast in his refusal to entertain offers for his big-name stars this summer, and it is believed it would take an offer in the region of £30million for the Scot to part company with the former Wolves player.