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Everton are close to agreeing a new deal with Bryan Oviedo.

It is understood that the Blues will hand the 25-year-old a three year contract to tie him to the club until the end of the 2019 season.

Oviedo was out of contract at the end of the season but triggered an extra 12 month extension.

However, the Blues have decided to offer the full-back a longer deal and are currently in negotiations with the Costa Rica international.

Manager Roberto Martinez is hoping to be able to announce Oviedo’s contract in the coming weeks and says a new deal for Mo Besic should follow soon after.

“He triggered a clause where we had to take advantage of an option in his contract but we wanted to show our appreciation to Bryan,” Martinez explained.

“So rather than just triggering the option to sign a new contract (we wanted to offer him a longer deal).

“Bryan has been through a lot of difficult periods with his two big injuries but now he is fully fit and he has always been a contagious character, coming in with a big smile and always having a goal and long-term ambition.

“That type of approach deserves a real reward and we are hoping that in the next few weeks we can announce that.

“The two issues to look after were Mo Besic - who triggered the 25 game clause that he had (sparking a 12-month extension) - and Bryan Oviedo, so we are hopeful that over the next few weeks we can announce news in respect to those players.”

With Oviedo set to commit his future to the Blues, it leaves Everton with a glut of left-backs.

Martinez will have Leighton Baines, Oviedo, Brendan Galloway and Luke Garbutt at his disposal, with Ramiro Funes Mori also able to fill in if required.

But the Everton boss insists he will not have too many players for one position.

“Looking at that position, it is one of the hardest positions to fill,” he said.

“You are looking at other positions on the pitch that you can play people out of position.

“Left-back is as specialised outfield position you are going to get and having a left-footed defender, the way we play, is important to have.

“Brendan Galloway, 19, Luke Garbutt in his early-20s, Oviedo in his mid-20s and Leighton Baines at 31, it’s a very good group of players that all bring something different but I don’t think they get in each other’s way, which is important.”