Everton boss Roberto Martinez has admitted that he is looking to sign two more players before the transfer window closes in just over five weeks’ time.
Experienced central defenders Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin have left Goodison Park since the end of last term and Martinez has been linked with a move for Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk.
After Everton had beaten Hearts 3-1 in a pre-season friendly at the weekend, with Romelu Lukaku grabbing a hat-trick for the Toffees, Martinez was asked if he was interested in signing the Dutch defender, who has been a regular in the Celtic side since moving to Glasgow from FC Groningen two years ago.
However, former Swansea City and Wigan Athletic boss Martinez would only say: “That’s the nature of this period, you are going to be linked with players.
“I don’t enjoy talking about other players when they are not at our club and I will never be disrespectful in that manner. We are still looking for two positions. Our squad is not completed.
“Central defence is one of those positions. Two experienced centre-halves left the squad, so we need to fill those gaps. We will wait as long as we can to select the person we want.”
Martinez has made very few moves in the transfer market this summer, with Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley and Barcelona’s Gerard Deulofeu his only major additions.
Everton start their Premier League campaign on August 8 when they face Watford.
Martinez’s side are available at 1.75 to win the match while the Hornets can be backed at 5.00 and the draw is 3.75.
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