According to the latest reports, international defender Cuco Martina will be an Everton player before the end of the week.
Everton have already done an excellent job of revamping their roster, bringing in suitable players and gradually getting rid of those no longer in their long-term plans. However, one position where there has still been some concern is at right back, where Seamus Coleman will miss the start of the Premier League campaign.
If the latest news is to be believed, this will no longer be an issue. A report from The Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe indicates the Blues are on the verge of signing Cuco Martina.
According to Bascombe, Martina will complete his free transfer from Southampton this weekend. In the process, Everton will have natural cover at right back, while also potentially providing a challenging to Coleman’s long-term future as the first team regular.
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As per a report from the Echo‘s Kristian Walsh, the move has been given further credence, after a video was released of the 27-year-old saying goodbye to international teammates. The video was recorded as he departed the Curacao team bus after their elimination from the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup and includes a tweet from Curacao journalist Edson Evertsz, with the hashtag “Everton Bound”.
The pending deal will conclude Ronald Koeman’s year-long pursuit of Martina. Koeman was previously his manager at Southampton, after he joined them on a two-year contract in July 2015.
Born in Rotterdam, Martina played his youth football with Feyenoord, before signing his first professional contract with RBC Roosendaal. He has also played for RKC Waalwijk and FC Twente.
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Pending official confirmation of the deal, what’s your take on Martina? What kind of impact do you predict he will have at Everton? Will he make the right back position his own on a long-term basis? Share your thoughts in the comments section.