The Toffees wanted a winger in the summer.
Everton’s search for a new winger in the summer led to the eventual and somewhat underwhelming capture of West Ham’s Enner Valencia on deadline day.
Porto’s Yacine Brahimi was said to have been a target prior to this (O Jogo), along with Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic and Lyon’s Rachid Ghezzal.
With Valencia only on loan until the end of the campaign, at which point a £14.5 million clause can be exercised should the Toffees wish (BBC), it is likely that manager Ronald Koeman will seek to address this area of his squad in the coming transfer windows.
The Dutchman’s alleged pursuit of Brahimi made plenty of sense. He used to manage in Portugal with Benfica, the club from which he signed Filip Duricic on loan for Southampton, while ex-Sporting defender Cedric was another of his Saints recruits.
But there is a new kid on the block as far as Primeira Liga wingers are concerned – another Sporting prospect, Gelson Martins.
A quartet of English clubs – Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and West Ham – are said to have watched the Portugal Under-21 star against Rio Ave on Sunday (A Bola), after he caught the eye against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last week.
Everton’s need, though, is arguably greater.
Gelson has made an impressive start to life in the Sporting first team. Last season he scored or assisted 11 goals from 13 starts; this time around it is six from six.
According to A Bola, his contract contains a £60 million buyout clause, although he remains one of Leões’ lowest earners.
With apparent interest from England, it is surely only a matter of time before the 21-year-old’s head is turned. The way Everton are playing, they may be high up in the queue by then.
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