Everton are targeting Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins following the player’s decision to cancel his contract along with a host of other stars from the club after in-house issues, as well as Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, according to The Telegraph.
Netherlands international de Ligt , who is now a client of super-agent Mino Raiola, and is thought to be available for a fee in the region of £50million but the Toffees will face competition from Manchester City.
Everton are also not on their own in the hunt for Martins’ signature, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham said to be interested as well.
OPINION:
It has been quiet at Goodison Park in terms of confirmed arrivals at the club so far this summer and now that they are being linked with Martins and de Ligt, who are two diamonds on the European scene, we find it difficult to see how they will be able to compete with some of the Premier League’s top clubs if there is such a lot of rivalry for the two stars. Martins is an exciting attacker who would be an instant hit at the Merseyside Club as they are crying out for a tricky, nippy forward capable of terrorising the best defences in the Premier League. But without the prospect of offering the winger Champions League football, something both Tottenham and Liverpool can use as a bargaining tool in negotiations, we believe the Blues will fall short in their pursuit of Martins. As for de Light, with Manchester City also sniffing around, we cannot see Everton winning this one either and they will be left Blue in their pursuit of the duo.