19 Jul 2013 11:45
Blues are keen to add the midfielder to the squad but price could be an issue
Roberto MartinezEVERTON fear being priced out of the race for midfield target James McCarthy.
Roberto Martinez would relish the chance to add the talented 22-year-old to his squad, but Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in the Wigan Athletic midfielder is likely to push the talented Republic of Ireland international out of his price range.
The Blues new boss, who took over in the summer from David Moyes, is happy with his strength in depth in most areas, but wants extra cover in central midfield and would love to be reunited with the player he signed for Wigan in 2009.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is believed to have already inquired about McCarthy, and will not be deterred by a prospective £20m price tag.
Martinez handed McCarthy his big break in England after signing him from Hamilton Academicals four years ago, and the Glasgow-born star has gone on to make 115 Premier League appearances.
Arouma Kone and James McCarthy
The Latics star man is much in demand, with Liverpool having enquired about him in the past and Fulham and Manchester City also monitoring him this summer.
Wigan chairman Dave Richards know he will be hard-pressed to keep MCarthy in the Championship, but would ideally like a lucrative auction to develop which would mean Everton probably have to look elsewhere.
Five Filters recommends: ‘You Say What You Like, Because They Like What You Say’ – http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/alerts-2013/731-you-say-what-you-like-because-they-like-what-you-say.html