Use your head and sign up now for the Everton FC newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Everton have opened talks with midfielder Tom Cleverley.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at Manchester United and set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer.

Everton are one of a number of clubs interested in Cleverley and have started negotiations with his representative.

Cleverley worked with Blues boss Roberto Martinez at Wigan Athletic in the 2010-11 season and the Catalan has remained a firm admirer of the England international ever since.

Last week, Cleverley said he wanted to have his future resolved before he got married this summer and the ECHO understands that Everton could be given a decision in just two weeks’ time.

Martinez is keen to do as much of a transfer business as early as possible and take a full-strength squad to Singapore where the Blues will take part in the Barclays Asia Trophy in July.

And the signing of free agent Cleverley could be the first of the four recruits the Everton manager is targeting.

Arsenal and Southampton are two of the Blues’ rivals for Cleverley while Aston Villa, where he spent the season on loan, want to make his move a permanent one.

Cleverley has admitted that it would difficult to leave Villa, where his form has been transformed under new boss Tim Sherwood, but Martinez will hope that the strong relationship he has forged with the former Bradford City youngster can tip the balance in the Blues’ favour.

Last season, in response to a petition calling for Cleverley to be omitted from England’s World Cup squad, Martinez said: “There are only a few players in this country who have had the sort of education where they look as if they could have been brought up in Holland, Spain or France.

“Tom is one of them.

“I just don’t understand this campaign, it is not the way to encourage young players.”