Everton lead Tottenham and Arsenal in race to sign £10m-plus rated Championship defender

Everton are reportedly ready to increase their bid for Bolton Wanderers defender Rob Holding after having a £10million offer rejected, according to talkSPORT.

The highly-rated 20-year-old has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs following some impressive performances for the Trotters, with the Toffees understood to be leading the race for the young centre-back.

The Wanderers youth product was voted as the club’s Player of the Season despite them suffering relegation to League One, and although they are keen to keep hold of their young star, a bid of more than £10million could be too much to turn down, with Roberto Martinez ready to launch another bid for the England Under-21 international, despite doubts over his own future at Goodison Park.

North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal are two other top flight clubs to have scouted the defender, who made 30 appearances in all competitions for the Lilywhites this term, scoring one goal.