Manager David Moyes has confirmed Everton and Marseille have agreed a deal to bring Joseph Yobo to Goodison on a permanent basis.
The two clubs have been locked in talks over the past 24 hours and the Nigerian defender is expected to put pen-to-paper on a long-term contract in the next few days.
Yobo, who is likely to cost Everton around £4.5 million sterling, has been impressive since Moyes signed him on a year-long loan deal in the summer, with performances which have helped the Blues' rise to third in the Barclaycard Premiership.
His return to fitness has coincided with the club's six-game winning streak in the league which has Everton up to third in the table - with the last five games bringing clean sheets.
The Goodison side had first option on securing a permanent deal and instead of waiting until the end of his loan spell, Moyes has decided to swoop immediately as he continues to build for the future.
The Scot told the club's official website, www.evertonfc.tv: "The two clubs have agreed a deal with Marseille over Joseph Yobo.
"We have been working hard to try and finalise the deal and the board at Everton have been fantastic in putting the finances in place.
"There are still one or two matters to be sorted out with Joseph and his advisors but we hope to conclude the deal in the next couple of days".
Marseille bought Yobo from Standard Liege for £3.4 million in 2001 and he made 23 appearances for the French side before emerging as one of Nigeria's best players at last summer's World Cup.
Everton paid the Le Championnat side £1 million in the summer to secure his loan services for this season and are expected to pay a further £3.5 million to make the deal permanent.