Everton must win Premier League battle to sign Emiliano Martinez as transfer news emerges
Everton have been joined by West Ham and Luton Town in the race to sign FC Midtjylland midfielder Emiliano Martinez and the Toffees can’t afford to miss out on a perfect Idrissa Gueye replacement.
Danish media outlet Tipsbladet reported on 3 August that the Superliga outfit are not actively looking to sell the 23-year-old they signed on a free transfer last summer.
However, in the event that one of the aforementioned clubs comes in with an offer, they will not be able to resist it and have already lined up replacements should Martinez depart the club this summer.
The Danish media outlet wrote on its website on 2 June that it will take any team around £8.7million to secure the Uruguay international’s services.
Journalist Rodri Vazquez, taking to his personal Twitter account [1 June] reported that Everton have made an offer to sign the talented midfielder for next season, but now it’s believed that the Toffees face stiff Premier League competition from the likes of Luton Town and West Ham.
Right now, the focus at Goodison Park will be to bring in a new striker through the door as soon as humanly possible ahead of the season, with a deal for Sporting wonderkid Youssef Chermiti currently progressing.
Despite the deal advancing, Dyche will be targeting another striker following the signings of Arnaut Danjuma and Ashley Young, but it is abundantly clear that the club need reinforcement in other areas and the midfield should also be at the top of the list.
Everton have been guilty of mismanagement and incompetence in recruitment in the past, handing long-term and high-paying contracts to players who are simply past their best or not warranting such a lofty deal.
But, their interest in Chermiti and Martinez certainly points to an encouraging change in tact, targeting players with burgeoning potential and a high ceiling whilst also possessing the capabilities to become leading performers in their position.
Belgian international Amadou Onana is attracting plenty of Premier League interest and while Everton will be desperate to keep him at the club this summer, they will be looking to move past one particular player in Gueye, or better yet identify a long-term replacement for the Senegalese international.
For that reason, the Toffees will need to start identifying potential replacements and though Martinez may be something of an unknown quantity to Everton fans, he’s a player emerging on the scene after a terrific first campaign in Denmark.
Emiliano 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.
With Dyche’s midfield desperately requiring further dynamism, aggression and cutting edge in and out of possession, Martinez is a player Everton should be fighting tooth and nail for.
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, and 58% of his aerial duels showcasing his qualities from midfield and tremendous off-the-ball work [SofaScore].
And he’s also an adept progressor of the ball, successfully completing 93% of his pass from his own half – a tactical trait Everton may be desperate for next season, alongside the likes of James Garner.
In Martinez, Everton could very well be unearthing an impressive midfield diamond.
In other Everton news, the Toffees must firm up their approach to sign a leading Juventus defensive wonder this summer.