Everton boss Ronald Koeman eyeing shock swoop for veteran West Ham defender James Collins
Toffees facing competition from Crystal Palace and Stoke for his signature
EVERTON are among teams eyeing a shock move for West Ham centre-back James Collins.
The Wales international, 33, is also on the radar of Crystal Palace and Stoke as they look for cover at the back.
Ronald Koeman is set to continue his summer splurge with a centre-back to support Michael Keane, Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka.
He wants numbers at the back as Ramiro Funes Mori is set to miss most of the campaign through injury.
Collins has one year left on his Hammers contract and clubs reckon they can get him for around £2million.
He got to the European Championship quarter-finals a year ago with Wales then played in more than half of West Ham games in the Premier League last season.
But Slaven Bilic could let him go unless fresh terms are agreed with the ex-Aston Villa centre-back.
Palace and Stoke were also tracking Collins as they stepped up their searches for defensive quality.
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Kurt Zouma has secured a loan to the Bet365 Stadium and Palace have signed Jairo Riedewald but both will add a defender for the right deal.
Meanwhile Everton ace Ross Barkley has played his final game for the club.
The England international has rejected a new contract at Goodison Park to seek a 'new challenge' elsewhere.