According to Everton boss Roberto Martinez, the Toffees are close to completing a double deal for Argentinian centre-back Ramiro Funes Mori and Uruguayan striker Leandro Rodriguez.
Mori currently plies his trade with Argentinian giants River Plate and the 24-year-old has won one cap for his national team. He was pictured at the Toffees recent 2-0 home defeat against Manchester City.
He is highly-rated in South America and a fee in the region of £6million has been mooted for the centre-back, who is likely to provide competition for current centre-backs Phil Jagielka and John Stones, if he stays on Merseyside.
Martinez told a press conference on Friday: “Ramiro was in the building yesterday (Thursday), we hope that we’re going to complete the deal some time today,”
“International clearance could take a few days. We’re very excited about having him.”
Rodriguez is a 22-year-old striker who currently plays for River Plate Montevideo in his homeland. Martinez also confirmed the potential arrival of Rodriguez by saying: “Leandro is going to be announced as well later today,”
“Leandro is one of the young players we identified to give them a path and allow them to develop in our system.
“We’re very excited, he’s someone who can produce a goal out of nothing, hard working with a really strong combination.”
The signings may go some way to quell the unrest amongst a minority of Everton fans who have been protesting at the lack of investment from the clubs hierarchy this summer.
The Toffees are still expected to make at least one more move in the transfer market, as Martinez looks for a midfield playmaker.
Will Everton be active in the transfer market before the window shuts?
