Everton boss Roberto Martinez is pushing to bring AS Monaco striker Lacina Traore back to Goodison Park and has announced that the Toffees are in discussions with the French Ligue 1 side over an agreement for the player.
Ivorian giant Traore, who stands 6’8” tall, impressed the Everton coach during his short loan spell despite being sidelined for the majority of it with a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old made just one start for the side shortly after his arrival from Monaco in the New Year, finding the back of the net for Everton in their 3-1 FA Cup victory over Swansea City in February.
Injury-aside, Martinez is of firm belief that Traore is the right fit for his side and insists he wants to bring him back to the Merseyside outfit for their 2014/2015 Premier League campaign.
In a statement on Everton’s official website, Martinez said: “At the moment we are still talking with Monaco.
“With Lacina, it is a three-way conversation and it will go a bit further down the line before we take a final decision.
“But we always wanted Lacina to be with us and to play his football with us, and that hasn’t changed at all.”