Report: West Brom in for out-of-favour Everton star
Everton defender Cuco Martina is very much the forgotten man of Goodison Park. Indeed, his name’s barely been heard on the stadium tannoy this season.
The Curacao captain has yet to make a first team appearance for the Toffees this campaign, only making the match-day squad twice.
The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and the club are clearly ready for him to depart sooner or later.
Indeed, Football Insider reported on Friday that Championship high-flyers West Bromwich Albion are one of several second tier teams eyeing late swoops for the right back.
The Baggies are said to be one of a number of teams to have made contact over the former Southampton man.
The report claims that Martina is available for a permanent or temporary exit this month, as the Blues try to minimise their wage bill.
The veteran defender was a favourite of former Everton boss Ronald Koeman, who signed him for the Toffees and the Saints, but he has failed to make an impact under the Dutchman’s successors.
Is now the time to let Martina go?
Very much so. Time is running out to get anything for the defender. If that comes in the form of a loan exit whereby his wages are off the books, fine. If it’s a permanent exit, even better.
It’s clear that the Curacao international has no future on Merseyside – and hasn’t for quite some time now.
Carlo Ancelotti is chasing a higher calibre of player than Martina, that’s just a fact. So if he can offload him this window then that would be ideal.
In other Everton news, a former England international has been gushing over a big statement made by the Blues.