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Everton are closing in on the signing of Southampton full-back Cuco Martina.

Blues boss Ronald Koeman revealed last week that he was exploring the idea of buying a new right-back to provide competition for Seamus Coleman.

And the ECHO can reveal that Everton are in advanced talks to take 26-year-old Martina from St Mary's.

Koeman signed the former Feyenoord youth player last summer for Southampton on a two-year deal but under new Saints manager Claude Puel he has fallen down the pecking order.

Martina was not in the Southampton squad for games with Watford and Manchester United and now looks to be edging closer to joining the Blues.

Martina plays his international football for Curacao and lists Twente and Jong Twente as former clubs.

And now he is closing in on a reunion with Koeman who was last week asked if he wanted to add a new right-back to his squad.

"That's possible," he said.

“Because what I like to have is, really, two players for each position in the team and we need to have that competition to get the best out of each player.

“That is a possibility.”