Monday 25 August 2014 10:47, UK
Roberto Martinez has admitted that money may be an issue after being linked with a move for Samuel Eto’o or Danny Welbeck, but he is keeping an open mind over possible new additions at Everton.
Everton were impressive in the first half against Arsenal on Saturday as they stormed into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith, but they were pegged back to 2-2 for the second game in a row following a late Gunners rally.
While the window is open we are looking at anyone who can help us and also looking at our injured players and seeing how they react.
There has been speculation that Martinez may look to bring in a new striker before the transfer deadline and former Chelsea man Eto’o is believed to be under consideration, along with Manchester United’s Welbeck.
An important factor in whether Martinez moves to bring in anyone will be the fitness of his squad, as he is waiting on updates over Bryan Ovideo and Arouna Kone, who both suffered serious injuries last season.
However, he has stressed that he would not have concerns over the age of 33-year-old Eto’o, saying in the Guardian: “No, because every player can contribute in a different way.
“It is about trying to see what we need in the squad and how we are going to repeat our first-half performance over 90 minutes.”
On Welbeck and Eto’o, Martinez added: “There is a lot of money involved in those two. At the moment, if I am honest with you, I am looking at all the options.
“While the window is open we are looking at anyone who can help us and also looking at our injured players and seeing how they react.
“Oviedo and Kone will have a big say on how we end the window and I have an open mind about it. Our first-half performance shows what we have got in the squad.”
