Gelson Martins: The Mo Salah alternative who could make Everton deadly

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Everton boss Marco Silva is believed to be interested in a number of Sporting Lisbon players this summer. A Bola reported this week that the Toffees were keen on bringing in the trio of William Carvalho, Bas Dost and Gelson Martins.

The arrival of Gelson would certainly be one to excite fans at Goodison Park. He bagged 11 goals and 11 assists last season in a fine campaign on the wing for Sporting. This summer he heads to the World Cup in Russia hoping to help fire his nation to a second consecutive major tournament win.

For Everton to sign Gelson would be a huge coup. It would also take a huge cost. The 23-year-old has a release clause in his contract at Sporting believed to be worth around £52.7 million, as reported by The Sun.

But it would be a fantastic move for a player that Everton’s local rivals have been keeping tabs on for some time.

In fact, when it looked as though Liverpool’s attempts to sign Mo Salah had hit the skids, Gelson was the next choice. In June last year, Liverpool were fearful that they would not be able to bring the Egyptian to Anfield. As reported by the BBC it is at this point that Liverpool felt Gelson was an appropriate alternative to the winger.

In the end, Liverpool did get Salah and he went on to score 44 goals in 52 games for the club in an astonishing season.

Of course, if Gelson was to do similar at Everton it would be nothing short of a miracle. But there is no doubt he the type of talent the Toffees need at Goodison Park if they are to challenge for the top-four next season.