Everton holding 'serious' Daniel Munoz talks - 'It must be done this week...'
Everton must get their move for Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Munoz over the line before the end of the week, or the deal will not happen.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that his former club are now at the crunch stage of their pursuit of the 30-year-old.
Everton have been heavily linked with a move for Munoz in recent days, but there is also interest from Tottenham.
Wyness has revealed that the Merseysiders are set for "serious" talks with Palace over a deal across Tuesday and Wednesday, but face genuine time pressure to get the transfer done.
The Scottish businessman believes that David Moyes and Co. will try to use their "warm relations" with the Eagles to their advantage, after the recent swap deal involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson.
Munoz caught the eye with five goals and four assists for Palace last season, and he could now be just days away from a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Daniel Munoz deal to be done now or never
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Everton's pursuit of Munoz is now at the now-or-never stage.
He feels that if their recruitment team cannot make substantial progress towards a deal in the next 48 hours, then they will be forced to look elsewhere.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed that he has heard fresh discussions over the deal are imminent.
"It will have to be done this week, or it isn't going to happen. That's what I've been hearing as well, and it's going to come to a head right now," he said.
"I know that even on Tuesday and Wednesday there are going to be some pretty serious negotiations. Certainly he's a target.
"There are still warm relations, if you like, between Palace and Everton over the swap of Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson, who had a reasonably good debut at the weekend.
"So yes, I can very much still see Munoz happening."
Everton learn Munoz price tag
Football Insider revealed last week that Palace will hold out for a fee of £25million for Munoz in the coming weeks.
The Colombian is one of multiple right-back deals that Everton are working on at the moment, and is understood to "tick a lot of boxes" for them.
Palace are not actively looking to sell their star, but will reluctantly entertain a sale if their valuation is met in full.
However, Everton are running out of time to get their pursuit over the line, and are truly at the now or never stage.