West Bromwich Albion are plotting a Deadline Day swoop on Goodison Park to sign Everton flop Cuco Martina, according to Football Insider.
The 30-year-old right-back has not featured for the first-team in any competition this season and has been made available for a winter move, having entered the final months of his £35,000-per-week contract.
Director of Football Marcel Brands had yet to receive any firm approaches for the Curacao captain approaching the end of the window, but West Brom are now said to have begun plotting a late deal to take Martina to the Hawthorns.
The Championship title-hopefuls are believed to have made contact with Everton to discuss a deal, which could see Martina join Slaven Bilic’s side as a permanent player or on loan until the end of his Toffees contract.
West Brom may face potential rival approaches before the 23:00 deadline strikes, as several second-tier sides are also interested in acquiring the 44-cap international and have likewise begun talks with the Blues.
There remains a lot of room in negotiations during the final hours of the winter window, which may well spell the end to 2020-free agent Martina’s career at Everton.
Will Martina leave on Deadline Day?
Yes
No
Martina joined the club as a free agent in 2017 following his release by Southampton, but has proven to be a disaster for the Toffees with no Premier League appearances since March 2018.
He spent the ’18/19 campaign away on loan over spells with Stoke City and Feyenoord and has featured in just one top-flight matchday squad since his return – coming as an unused substitute against Manchester United.
Calling time on his Everton career on Deadline Day would be great for the club, but Martina will likely chase guarantees that he will have a key role in West Brom’s title chase before signing a contract with the Championship side.
The Baggies lost their place at the top of the table on Tuesday night after defeat by Cardiff City, and will face basement boys Luton Town on Saturday hoping to overturn their two-point deficit to Leeds United.
In other Everton news, the club have confirmed a Deadline Day departure.