Scott Parker's career statistics

Everton are close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea for the 24-year-old, but Newcastle, Birmingham, Aston Villa and Spurs are also interested.

Manager Jose Mourinho said: "It's normal that he wants to play.

"If Parker is ready to wait that's fantastic for Chelsea. If he's not ready we have to think about a loan, we have to think about selling."

Mourinho admitted: "He wants to be in the national team and he can only be in the national team if he plays regularly. But at this moment (Claude) Makelele looks unbeatable for the place."

Everton manager David Moyes hopes that Champions League football will tempt Parker to Goodison Park and chief executive Keith Wyness said: "We have been in discussions."

Everton also expect to complete a �4m deal for Tottenham winger Simon Davies, who was undergoing a medical at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

Moyes has been chasing Parker for almost two years since he was at Charlton - but he chose to make a �10m move to Chelsea 16 months ago.

I'm a big fan of Parker but for �6m I just wonder if Owen Hargreaves is a better option From KK Have your say on 606

However, he has only played 28 games since the switch and has been troubled by a foot injury.

Parker's reported �55,000-a-week salary may be a stumbling block but Everton are confident that they can beat off competition.

If he lands Davies and Parker, Moyes will then turn his attention to buying a striker, with Spurs' Robbie Keane and Newcastle United's Craig Bellamy potential targets.