Everton set to secure signing of Southampton defender Cuco Martina

Premier League outfit Everton are closing in on the signing of Southampton full-back Cuco Martina, according to The Independent.

It was Everton manager Ronald Koeman, when at the helm at St Mary’s, who brought the 27-year-old to English football back in 2015, and he went on to play 18 times under the Dutchman last term as the Saints finished sixth in the Premier League.

However, the right-back has struggled for gametime this time round under new boss Claude Puel, starting just six times in the league, and appearing off the bench on just three other occasions.

That led to his release from the club after just two years on the South Coast, yet he looks set to be offered a Premier League lifeline as ex-boss Koeman is reportedly on the verge of bringing him to Everton.

The Toffees will be looking at how they can bridge that eight-point gap between themselves and the top six next term, and with first-choice right-back Seamus Coleman out for a sustained period of time through injury, Koeman clearly sees Martina as a ready-made replacement.

He’ll have to get the better of talented starlet Mason Holgate though, yet with Europa League football to contend with as well in the early stages of the campaign, Koeman will need a strong squad to be competitive on both domestic and European fronts.