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| Roberto Martinez is hoping to bring in both Ramiro Funes Mori and Leandro Rodriguez |
EVERTON boss Roberto Martinez admits a deal for Argentine defender Ramiro Funes Mori is set to be finalised imminently and the Toffees are also closing in on Uruguay striker Leandro Rodriguez.
Mori watched Everton’s defeat to Manchester City at Goodison Park on Sunday from the stands and a £5m deal with River Plate is close.
“At the moment it hasn’t been concluded but we feel positive about the outcome,” said Martinez.
“We have a very good relationship with River Plate and we hope that we can have him as an Everton player in the next few hours."
Martinez is confident that Everton will be able to secure a work permit for the 24-year-old centre-back, who has been capped once by Argentina.
“As you know there has been a bit of a change with work permits,” the Toffees boss said.
“We’ll test the new process and are confident we can achieve the points to get the work permit."
Everton, who face Barnsley in the Capital One Cup second round on Wednesday, are also progressing with talks over a deal for 22-year-old River Plate Montevideo forward Rodriguez.
Martinez said: “He’s a very talented young man and it’s one of those when we go from window to window we keep an eye on potential young players who could reach a level with us in the first team.
“Leandro we can speak about because we have the permission of his club in Uruguay. There’s nothing to announce but he would fit into that outstanding young talent category.
“He’s a player we would love to see if we can get a positive outcome.”
Martinez, though, refused to answer questions on the future of England defender John Stones, who continues to be linked with a move to Chelsea.
“It’s always the same question, it’s always the same answer,” Martinez added.
“The only thing is the game in front of us. There’s nothing to announce and discuss.”
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