Everton ‘target’ outgoing Tottenham chief who ‘negotiated’ deals for Bruno Fernandes and Jack Grealish

Everton are targeting Steve Hitchen to become their new director of football, reports suggest.

According to The Telegraph, the Toffees are keen for Hitchen - who has resigned from his role at Tottenham Hotspur - to succeed Marcel Brands at Goodison Park.

Everton have been without a director of football since Brands left Goodison Park in December.

The Dutchman’s exit came less than eight months after he’d signed a new three-year deal.

The Toffees have been undergoing a structural review behind the scenes and looking for a new chief who can help rebuild the club.

Their search has reportedly taken them to Hitchen, who has quit as Tottenham’s director of technical performance after five years.

The Telegraph reports that during his time at Spurs, he negotiated deals for Bruno Fernandes, Paulo Dybala, Jack Grealish and James Ward-Prowse “only for the club to back out of completing the transfers over financial issues”.

The arrival of Fabio Paratici as managing director of football of the north London club in June is claimed to be a reason why Hitchen has left the club.

Paratici has taken charge in the past two transfer windows, leading to Hitchen’s exit.

Hitchen, 45, was part of the backroom set-up that saw Tottenham reach the Champions League final in 2019.

During his playing days, Hitchen - a defender - came through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers but spent the majority of his career at Macclesfield Town. He hung his boots up in 2004 after representing Bangor City.

He’s also worked for the likes of Liverpool, QPR and Derby County.