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Everton are leading the race to sign highly-rated Barcelona star and Liverpool target Cristian Tello, according to the reports.
The tricky winger has been heavily linked with a move to Merseyside in recent months and he came close to joining Liverpool in January. However, the move failed to materialise and Liverpool’s rivals, Everton, emerged as favourites last week for the signature of the Spaniard.
Barcelona only want to offload Tello on a loan deal as new manager Luis Enrique has deemed the winger a part of his future plans. Barcelona’s director of football, Andoni Zubizarreta, is said to have been impressed in the progress that Gerard Deulofeu made during his loan spell under the former Wigan manager last year and is keen for Tello to make a similar transition for a season.
According to the Mirror, the 22-year-old could become an Everton player within weeks and Martinez’s close relationship with the Catalan giants is one of the reasons why.
Brendan Rodgers has scuppered plans to sign the winger and that has paved the way for Bill Kenwright and co. to pull off a deal for the highly-sought after player.
Gerard Deulofeu is unlikely to return to Everton, despite Martinez keen on adding him to the squad for next season.
Tello completed just 7/24 take ons in La Liga last season (29%).
