As This Is Futbol informed you on Saturday, West Ham and Tottenham are both considering summer bids for Everton star Kevin Mirallas, following news the goal-scoring winger will be ‘holding talks’ with Roberto Martinez at the end of the season.
It’s been an interesting campaign for the Belgium international. He’s currently the Toffees’ third-top scorer in the Premier League with five goals in 15 starts, but incensed fans earlier in the season when he confiscated the ball from spot kick specialist Leighton Baines to take a penalty against West Brom – only to spoon his effort wide of goal.
He then went on to reveal he’s seeking a ‘new challenge’ for next term, as reported by Mirror Football, but Martinez believes those words have been misinterpreted.
Quizzed on whether Mirallas had a future at Goodison Park, with his contract on the verge of entering it’s final year, the Everton manager replied; “Absolutely…. Kevin has been a really important player for us in the last two years and his goal scoring threat is something that we really need in the team. He is a player I really love working with and he still has a lot to offer,” as quoted in The Liverpool Echo.
“I think those comments were taken out of context,” he added, in regards to Mirallas wanting a ‘new challenge’.
“When you are a foreign player – and I know because I have been in that situation – and you do an interview with someone from your nation and all they do is ask you about playing in the best competitions.
“And, of course, you want to show desire but he has never been disrespectful to our football club or our team. He is ambitious and we are an ambitious football club and so that is a very good match.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham have also been warned off Southampton winger Jay Rodriguez by manager Ronald Koeman.