Everton close to loan for Tomas Andrade

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed that the club are close to signing River Plate midfielder Tomas Andrade on loan.

The 19-year-old was invited to train with the Toffees ahead of the new season as they looked to agree a deal with the Argentine club, and Martinez has suggested that Andrade will arrive on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

"Tomas is a very talented young man," Martinez told the Liverpool Echo. "He has raw, natural talent to use in the attacking play.

"He can play between the lines, he is left-footed, he's has a very, very interesting profile.

"He will need an adaptation period because he is very young still but he will fit in fantastically well in our development squad and we will try and do a deal where we can get him on loan with a clear plan to develop him and see if that will allow him to fulfil his potential."

It remains unclear whether Andrade will be given a chance in the first-team squad, or if he will be expected to continue his development in the Under-21 squad.