Transfer news: Everton chase Fernando, Gareth Barry and James McCarthy

Roberto Martinez could complete a few more deals before 11pm

James Legge
Tuesday 03 September 2013 05:11 EDT
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Everton-bound? Porto's Brazilian midfielder Fernando
Everton-bound? Porto's Brazilian midfielder Fernando (Getty Images)

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Everton boss Roberto Martinez appears very active in the transfer market, perhaps hoping a deadline day flurry can invigorate his side's sluggish start to the campaign.

The Blues have drawn all of their opening three league games, against Norwich, West Brom and Cardiff City, and the Spaniard said on Saturday that his new club was "looking strong to finish the window in a stronger position than we were when it opened."

But he still faces the prospect of losing stars Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United.

According to MailOnline, Everton have already agreed a £15 million deal for Porto's Brazilian midfielder Fernando. The six-foot-tall 26-year-old could be a ready-made replacement for Fellaini, who Everton signed for the same amount in 2008.

Another midfielder linked with a Goodison switch is Manchester City's Gareth Barry. The two sides were reportedly in talks over a switch for the midfielder, which broke down because Everton would prefer a loan deal over a permanent move.

And according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, the Merseysiders have made an offer for Cagliari centre-back Davide Astori.

Meanwhile the club's interest in Wigan's James McCarthy appears to have cooled. The Republic of Ireland international would have been the fourth player to follow Martinez from Wigan to Everton - joining Arouna Kone, Antolin Acaraz and Joel Robles - but Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said yesterday he had rejected a £10 million offer from Everton.

According to a tweet today from the Wigan Evening Post's football correspondent, Paul Kendrick, Wigan "have NOT accepted or even received an improved bid from Everton from James McCarthy. Ball still in Everton's court."

Apart from the three ex-Wigan players, the only other new face at Goodison is promising Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu, brought in on a season-long loan.

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