Everton target Porto’s Indi to replace Stones
LONDON: Everton have targeted a £12.5mil (RM66mil) move for Bruno Martins Indi, according to reports.
The Dutch international defender’s future appears up in the air with his club Porto willing to sanction a move for the right price.
A Portuguese report states that the player is agitating for a move.
And fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman is keen to make him a Toffee as the new Merseyside club’s boss prepares for the exit of John Stones to Manchester City.
Left-footed Indi played in a backthree at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil under former Oranje boss Louis van Gaal – although a lack of pace and some dodgy positional play left some observers wondering why.
The 24-year-old has been capped 31 times by his country, netting twice, but a lack of action for his club and a moment of madness has seen him fall out of favour at international level.
His last call-up came in September of last year for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Iceland as former boss Daley Blind’s team went down 1-0 – in his first game in charge – after Indi saw red for striking Kolbeinn Sigporsson.
The Portuguese-born defender started his career with Feyenoord in Holland and moved to Porto in 2014.
But he has never fully settled under former bosses Julen Lopetegui or Jose Peseiro, making 30 appearances last season.
The player has a £33.5mil (RM178mil) release clause but there appears no way Koeman and Everton will pay that figure.
Dynamo Kiev are also keen, but the player’s preference is believed to be a move to the English Premier League to work with compatriot Koeman.