Headline: Everton and Nottingham Forest Eye Grêmio Defender Gustavo Martins Ahead of Transfer Window
Everton and Nottingham Forest are reportedly keeping an eye on Grêmio centre-back Gustavo Martins as the January transfer window approaches, according to information from Sport Witness, which cites German outlet Fussball.eu. The 24-year-old Brazilian is keen on a move to Europe; however, Grêmio is not keen on selling him for a low price.
The Brazilian club reportedly seeks between £10 million to £12.5 million, nearly double the £5.8 million that Shakhtar Donetsk were prepared to offer before a minor thigh injury halted that transfer in the last window. Additionally, Grêmio aims to secure a new three-year contract for Martins, whose current deal runs until December 2027, to strengthen their position against prospective English buyers.
What Martins would bring
Martins stands at 6ft 3in, is right-footed, and has made 13 starts out of 15 appearances this season, clocking in 1,208 minutes of play. He boasts a 67.3% success rate in aerial duels, has made 65 clearances, and completed 90.9% of his passes. However, his average FotMob rating is a modest 6.91.
FotMob also indicates that he can play as a right-back. His limitations are apparent, with no goals scored, previous knee and thigh injuries, and a weight of only 68-70kg that Premier League forwards may exploit.
Everton currently ranks fifth after securing their third consecutive win, a 3-1 victory against Coventry on November 6. Nevertheless, their defense showed vulnerabilities, with Jarrad Branthwaite struggling for Coventry’s goal and receiving a yellow card, while veteran James Tarkowski faced a first-half penalty appeal. This is a stark contrast to the team’s early-season performance, where they kept five clean sheets in the first seven matches.
Should Everton pay £12.5m for Martins?
Everton should maintain their interest in Martins but should resist paying Grêmio’s full asking price. With Tarkowski at 33, manager David Moyes relies heavily on him, and Branthwaite’s injury history necessitates a trustworthy second centre-back. Martins could provide that support, showcasing height, aerial strength, ball-handling skills, and substantial experience with 1,208 minutes of quality play.
The financial aspect presents a challenge. FotMob values him around £1.7 million, and Shakhtar’s £5.8 million stands as the only significant market indication, making the £12.5 million price tag for a defender who has never played outside Brazil seem steep for Everton. A January transfer would also require Martins to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League mid-season, potentially presenting challenges for a slim 24-year-old.
The prudent strategy might be to propose an offer closer to the figure Shakhtar suggested. If Grêmio decides to extend his contract until 2030, Everton should consider walking away. Otherwise, Martins could enter next summer with only six months left on his contract, putting the club at a disadvantage in negotiations.
