Football: Blues move for Macca.

Byline: DAVID PRENTICE Everton Correspondent

EVERTON are to make a bold attempt to sign Steve McManaman and bring the boyhood blue back to Merseyside, theECHO can reveal.

Goodison boss David Moyes confirmed today that he is closely tracking the ex-Liverpool star, admitting McManaman is on a list of potential targets he is actively chasing this summer.

Moyes has been boosted by news that McManaman, who is out of favour at Real Madrid, is prepared to take a significant cut to his pounds 60, 000 a week wages in Spain.

His first priority remains a central midfielder, with Fulham's Sean Davis still his number one target despite a pounds 5m bid already having been rejected.

Speaking this morning at the Blues'pre-season training camp in Austria, Moyes said: ``Steve McManaman is one of several players that we are presently tracking,but there's nothing concrete to report at present.''

Moyes has also been alerted by Real Madrid's decision not to allocate McManaman, 31, a squad number for next season.

He is therefore unlikely to figure for the Spanish champions next season and faces life on the sidelines unless he agrees to a move.

McManaman currently has one year left on his contract and can leave on a free transfer.

The Blues have made preliminary investigations,and now believe McManaman would be prepared to comply with Everton's self-imposed pounds 20,000 a week wagecap.

But before he quits Spain,he would want his final year's contract paying up by Madrid.

Moyes is prepared to give Fulham a further 24 hours to decide whether Sean Davis will be allowed to leave, but is not optimistic, before switching his attentions elsewhere.

Preston's Dickson Etuhu and West Ham's Michael Carrick would not be targets,although Sunderland's former Everton midfielder Gavin McCann could be.

``We are actively pursuing a number of possibilities,'' said Moyes,``but we want to make sure it is absolutely right for the club.''

Everton have been joined at their Austrian training camp by Li Tie, despite the Blues still being unable to reach agreement with his club Liaoning Bird over a permanent transfer.

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MOVINGFOR REAL: Steve McManaman is out of favour at the Bernabeu