Everton close in on attacking

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed the club are close to agreeing a deal to sign Lacina Traore from Monaco on a loan deal until the end of the season, with the club hoping to be granted a work permit for the Ivory Coast international. Traore only joined Monaco from Anzhi Makhachkala at the beginning of January, but is set to move to the Premier League in order to gain experience.

West Ham United had been backed by some Betfair fans to sign the powerful striker earlier in January, but the 6ft 8in forward looks odds on with Betfair.com to move to Goodison Park for the rest of the season on a loan deal, where he could have a say in Everton’s bid to qualify for next year’s Champions League.

Martinez had made no secret over his desire to bolster his attacking options following the departure of Nikica Jelavic to Hull and Arouna Kone’s injury, and the Spaniard is hoping he is able to add Traore to his squad for the second half of the season.

"Lacina is a player who I really like and is someone who would fit in really well in the role we want the player to come in. If we can get through that he will be a player we will be very keen to add to the squad. He is only 23 and has already had a couple of moves (totalling) nearly £30million."

Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table, the Toffees know they have a real chance of making a charge for a place in the top-four. While Martinez is already right up there with Betfair to end the season with the manager of the year award, leading Everton into the Champions League would make it hard to look past the Spanish coach for the award.