Everton are closing in on Standard Liege striker Michy Batshuayi as Roberto Martinez continues to overhaul his forward options. The Sunday People says the Toffees will try to storm a march on Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund other suitors of the 20-year-old Belgian by offering £7 million for him. Martinez believes this will trigger a release clause in Batshuayi's contract. Batshuayi is top scorer in Belgium with 14 goals after 21 matches in the Pro League. If Martinez can lure him to Goodison Park, the Everton boss will give the green light for Croatia frontman Nikica Jelavic to join Hull City Tigers. Christophe Henrothay, Batshuayi's agent, said:
"The situation is simple. If a club triggers his release clause, he can sit down and start negotiating with them."
Martinez also landed long-time target Aiden McGeady from Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee this week. The Republic of Ireland winger, 27, penned a four-and-a-half-year contract on Merseyside. Batshuayi has yet to receive a senior call-up to the Belgium national team, but has scored five goals in ten games for the Under-21s. Former Toffees midfielder Marouane Fellaini, now at Manchester United, played for Standard Liege whilst winger Kevin Mirallas came through the club's academy.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
