Don Hutchison has claimed that he told West Ham about signing Gelson Martins with the Sporting CP speed demon now reportedly wanted by Everton.
The Telegraph has reported that the Toffees are eyeing up a swoop for Martins, 23, after he cancelled his contract at the crisis-hit Portuguese club.
Former Everton and West Ham player Hutchison is clearly a massive fan of the pacey Portugal international and believes that the Hammers should have also been trying to sign him with a move to Goodison Park now seemingly on the cards.
“I’m reading Everton might be signing Sporting Lisbon’s Gelson Martins. Another player I told West Ham about 18 months ago. Brilliant young prospect! Buy out clause of 40million Euros,” he said on his personal Twitter account.
https://twitter.com/donhutch4/status/1009001422728454150
Martins was lethal in attack for Sporting CP last season, scoring 13 goals and supplying 13 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions.
OPINION
Martins is a very good player and would be a top addition for both West Ham and Everton. Goodison director of football Marcel Brands has reportedly made the Sporting CP contract rebel one of his top targets for the summer as clubs look to pick the carcass of the Lisbon club, that has been plunged into crisis as of late after a group of thugs stormed their training ground and attacked players. Rui Patricio has already joined Wolves in the fall-out and it looks as though Martins could follow suit. West Ham probably have other priorities before going out and strengthening their winger options. Manuel Pellegrini will need a new goalkeeper, a shake-up of his defence and a new striker before looking at signing wingers. If he does come to it though, Martins should be near the top of his list if Premier League rivals Everton haven’t already snapped him up.