Martinez: Transfers dependant on Heitinga leaving
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has told a press conference that any transfers the club wishes to sign are dependent on Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga leaving the club before the window shuts.
Heitinga has been given permission to speak to a number of clubs and with his hefty wage off the wage bill, it may allow Roberto to bring in new faces.
“Anything between now and the end of the window will focus on how Johnny’s situation develops,” said Martinez.
“He was given permission to have talks with a couple of clubs and over the next 48 hours we will find out what the final outcome is.”
He said: “It is very important that in this window we try to find the right solution for him. But if that solution is to stay at Everton, he is somebody we didn’t want to lose in the first place.”
The gaffer has already brought in Irishman Aiden McGeady and giant Ivorian striker Lacina Traore to strengthen the team, but Martinez is keen to get a number of players back from injury to help push the blues up the league.
“If I’m honest with you, bringing Aiden and Lacina in were the big priorities for me,” said Martinez. “My focus now is on bringing the players back that we’ve already got.
“We’ve been affected by too many injuries and we are working on getting all those players back. For me, football is not about numbers, it’s about quality.
“Every window we will try to be as strong as we can be. We haven’t lost any of our top performers and we have added two good additions, so we are stronger. I’m really pleased with Aiden and Lacina coming in.
“What we want is to get all the players back from injury because when we have everybody fit and available we have very strong options.”
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