Change of transfer policy on cards at Everton as Emiliano Martinez news emerges
Everton have made an offer to sign young FC Midtjylland midfielder Emiliano Martinez, signifying a refreshing change of recruitment policy at Goodison Park this summer.
The 23-year-old midfield maestro has undergone a tremendous first season in European football having joined the Danish Superliga from Brazilian outfit Red Bull Bragantino last summer.
According to Uruguayan journalist Vazquez, taking to his personal Twitter account [1 June], Everton have made an offer to sign the talented midfielder for next season.
He tweeted: “Emiliano Martínez has had a great season at Midtjylland and that has aroused interest in major leagues in Europe.
“The Uruguayan midfielder has firm offers from Bordeaux and Everton.
“It is almost a fact that he will change teams in the next transfer window.”
Everton are in need of some desperate squad revamp this summer, after narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship after their gut-wrenching 1-0 triumph over Bournemouth on the Premier League final day [28 May].
Much of that has been down to the lacklustre recruitment policy of the past, with the Toffees guilty of handing out long-running contracts to players on the decline or underserving of such, like Dele Alli for example.
Manager Sean Dyche has had to deal with the repercussions during much of his tenure, and also largely by a lack of quality transfer activity also.
The former Burnley boss simply did not have attacking firepower to call on, heavily relying on Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil to drag them out of trouble whilst also possessing the qualities of Demarai Gray.
For the Toffees to move past all the incompetence and disaster from next season and beyond, this summer’s window must represent a change of recruitment tact and policy, and news emerging that the club have made a bid for an unknown but hugely talented commodity in Martinez certainly signifies a huge step in the right direction.
Premier League club Brighton have emerged as one of the division’s most innovative and exciting outfits because of their own refreshing policy – purchasing unknown young stars, turning them into world beaters and selling them for huge profits – a model Everton can replicate to ensure a sustainable future, especially with their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium on the way.
And the midfield is an area which may be in need of some revival.
The Toffees may well resigned to losing key man Amadou Onana to free up some much-needed funds, and also Idrissa Gueye probably no longer possessing the qualities to lead from defensive midfield beyond next season.
For that reason, Everton will need to start identifying potential and suitable replacements and Martinez is a player emerging on the scene after a terrific first campaign in Denmark.
The 23-year-old is the very definition of a number ‘6’ but also of a typical Uruguayan player, thanks to his efforts on the pitch and his intensity off and on the ball.
In 22 starts for FC Midtjylland, the 23-year-old averaged a whopping 2.6 tackles per game. 1.0 interceptions 1.1 clearances, winning 56% of his ground duels, 58% of his aerial duels showcasing his qualities from midfield and tremendous off-the-ball work [SofaScore].
With Everton already possessing an exciting midfield prospect in James Garner, it would be very smart for them to build around him for the future and the signing of Martinez certainly goes a long way in rectifying what’s been a dreadful run of past transfer mistakes.