Despite suffering a defeat to Tottenham on Monday evening, Everton are still in a particularly good place.

The Toffees have risen up the table in quick fashion during the second half of the campaign, with Carlo Ancelotti working wonders on Merseyside.

Since the Italian walked through the door, he's guided them from the depths of the table to a team firmly in with an outside bet of securing European football.

Everton have tasted defeat in just five of the 16 matches Ancelotti has taken charge of with the Blues now very much on the up.

A measure of how far they've come will be indicative in the transfer market - an area where a lot of ground could be made up in the manager's goals of putting Everton back in European competition.

One player who has been on Everton's wish list is Barcelona's Jean-Clair Todibo.

Defence is clearly an area they're looking to strengthen in with the likes of John Stones and Unai Nunez linked.

Stones

However, their pursuit of Todibo has now taken on a fresh direction.

That's according to Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness).

They suggest that Everton have now made an approach to sign the centre-back, but so too have Wolves.

There is now new interest from Benfica who are looking to get involved in the bidding.

On loan at Schalke, the Frenchman could have signed for the Bundesliga side for a fee €25m (£22.4m). However, they rejected that opportunity which has left the door open for others to sign him.

Todibo

GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

Assessing some of the players Everton have been linked with so far this summer, Todibo has to be one of the most promising, certainly in terms of defenders.

Aged just 20, the French centre-back is one of the most promising in Europe, earning comparisons to a great of his country, Marcel Desailly.

The Bundesliga website said Todibo's pace, strength and technical ability are "real reminders of Desailly," a player who's been inspired by both Andrea Pirlo and Thiago Silva.

If he takes tips from those types of players, he is destined for stardom - it really is no surprise Barcelona took a chance on him.

Todibo

The youngster isn't just a technical presence, however. He won eight tackles in one match for Barcelona this season, while in Germany, he's made 1.9 interceptions per match.

Todibo's reading of the game is hugely impressive and his interception count per game is higher than anyone in the current Everton side.