Everton explain Tomas Andrade transfer snub
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been explaining why there has been a u-turn on the proposed loan move of River Plate midfielder Tomas Andrade just days after announcing he would join on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
In a strange series of events Martinez announced days ago that Andrade would look to join the club, but just as quick it emerged that the 19 year old would not sign and it looks like England just wasn’t the place for him.
“It is a situation we are not going to follow up,” Martinez told the Liverpool ECHO.
“In the best interests of Tomas’ development and ourselves and the players we have got in that age group it is better that we are not going to go ahead with it.
“Tomas is a very, very talented footballer and I think he is going to be a big player but at the moment I don’t think we are going to reach an agreement.”
Martinez, who is hopeful of completing a deal for Barnsley teenager Mason Holgate today, said the club are not searching for another player in Andrade’s mould to go into the u-21 set-up.
“It was more of a one-off situation,” Martinez added.
“It was an opportunity for us to work with Tomas and for him to see the way we work and the structure we have. It wasn’t to be and is the best decision for everyone. It is not that we are looking for a specific position in that age group, it was quite the opposite.
“It was case of it being a player we faced last season in the Dallas Cup and he was the outstanding footballer in that tournament.
“It was well worth him coming across and seeing if this environment was what he needed to develop. But what is best for him is to develop back home and becoming a top player.”
Is this another in a long line of #EvertonThat moments?
Everton Fan? Register for FREE on our Everton messageboard – www.theevertonforum.co.uk/forum