Premier League side Everton are keen to secure an agreement for Burnley winger Dwight McNeil, according to this afternoon's Twitter update from journalist John Percy.

The 22-year-old is just one of many current and former players at Turf Moor that have been linked with a return to the top flight following the Clarets' relegation, with Nick Pope, Nathan Collins, Ben Mee, James Tarkowski and Wayne Hennessey all joining top-tier sides in recent months.

Two other players that have been heavily linked with a move away are current stars Maxwel Cornet and McNeil, with the former already being the subject of a loan-to-buy bid from the Toffees.

However, that attempt from Frank Lampard's side failed and West Ham United are now preparing to swoop for the Ivorian, with the Merseyside outfit in real danger of missing out on him.

But now the latter seem to be focusing their attention on 22-year-old McNeil, who played a part in all 38 league games for Vincent Kompany's side last term but was only able to record one assist in the process.

Still, he hasn't been short of interest with Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and West Ham also believed to have been monitoring his situation during the summer.

According to journalist Percy, officials at Goodison Park are now in talks with the second-tier side regarding his services and are "hopeful" of agreeing a deal, with negotiations ongoing at this stage.

The Verdict:

This would be a blow for the Clarets even though his output in front of goal hasn't been spectacular in recent years, with a real chance the 22-year-old could improve in that department considerably with this drop down to the second tier.

With the 12-month option on his current contract in mind, his deal doesn't expire until 2025 and with this, the Clarets currently hold a very strong position at the negotiating table.

Also graduating through the club's youth system, the winger is probably less likely to push for a move away than others so it will be down to Lampard's side to cough up the amount needed to lure him away from Turf Moor without the player trying to force a transfer.

There's a chance McNeil could stay loyal to the cause for another season in a bid to get his side back to the top flight at the first time of asking - but probably wouldn't reject the opportunity to join the Toffees if the opportunity came his way.

If Kompany's side are to cash in on him, they should ensure they have a sizeable sell-on clause in this agreement because there's every chance he could be sold on for a considerable amount in the future.