Everton sign Muhamed Besic on a five-year deal

Everton, 13/2 to finish in the top four next season, have signed Bosnian utility man Muhamed Besic from Ferencvaros, tying him down to a five-year deal. The 21-year-old played every minute of Bosnia and Herzogovina’s World Cup campaign, featuring mostly in the midfield anchorman role.

He is versatile however, and can play either at right back or the centre of defence, which should be an attractive prospect for Toffees’ boss Roberto Martinez. Having already signed Gareth Barry on a permanent deal this summer, the club has strength in depth in the middle of the park, with last year’s £15m recruit James McCarthy also starting to blossom.

Martinez was understandably happy with the capture, after the move was finalised, with the player already on the club’s pre-season tour of Thailand: “Mo already feels like part of the squad. It’s been so important for him to travel with us, interact with the squad and get to know us all.

“He trained on Saturday and that was a real positive. He’s also getting the right balance of recovering from the World Cup. He’s only 21 but it’s incredible how these bodies recover.”

It is reported that Martinez has also set his sights on Anderlecht frontman David Henen, and would like to bring him to Goodison Park sooner rather than later.

“David is a young man who is someone with a very good future and we want him to be part of our development squad and get into the Under-21s.

“He’s had a rapid rise in his early years. He’s only 18 and has attracted a lot of attention, but we need to give him a bit of quiet time to allow him to work on his game and develop as a footballer.“He has real talent with a view of one day making it into the first team, but that will be down to him and his hard work.”