Everton Transfer News: Martinez To Offer £15 Million For James McCarthy?

by Joseph Dempsey

Liverpool Echo. Having already lured Arouna Kone, Joel Robles and Antolin Alcaraz away from the DW Stadium, the former Latics manager now wants to add the 22-year-old to his ranks at his new club. Martinez, who has taken over at Goodison Park this summer following David Moyes' departure to Manchester United, considers McCarthy crucial to his plans for a successful debut campaign next season. The Express report that the Scotland international could cost at least £15 million despite having been signed from Scottish Championship side Hamilton Academical for £1 million four seasons ago. Since then, McCarthy blossomed under Martinez at the DW and has attracted interest from a number of leading Premier League sides, such as Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are however reluctant to meet Wigan's £20 million asking price. Martinez is hoping his old club will eventually settle for a reduced, £15 million fee while the player is anxious for a return to the Premier League, something the recently-relegated Wigan accept. But new manager Owen Coyle, who replaced Martinez, and Latic's owner Dave Whelan, aren't prepared to do the new Toffee's coach any more favours and will drive a hard bargain should the Spaniard come knocking again.

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Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.