Conor Coady has emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest.
The centre-back left Everton last week after they failed to take up their £4.5m option to buy him from Wolves.
Sheffield United are also monitoring developments but Forest may be better equipped to match the 30-year-old's financial terms.
Coady made 25 appearances for Everton, scoring two goals, and excelled in their 1-0 win over Bournemouth on the final day, when they avoided relegation.
But he had not started any of the previous 13 matches when Sean Dyche dropped him to play first Michael Keane and then Yerry Mina.
Dyche chose not to buy Coady whereas the expectation was that if former manager Frank Lampard had stayed in charge, a long-term move would have been triggered.
Coady faces an uncertain future at Wolves, with Julen Lopetegui replacing Bruno Lage as manager while he was out on loan.
Coady has also been linked with a return to Bramall Lane.
The now 30-year-old had a fruitful loan spell during the 2013-14 season and played a big part in the FA Cup run to the semi-final under Nigel Clough.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom has a limited transfer budget, but a fee of £4.5m would more than sit within the pot of money set aside for transfer fees.
United's likely interest is expected to be around a loan, similar to what Everton did this season.