Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has confirmed that the club are working on a deal to sign FC Twente defender Cuco Martina.
- By Michael Bell
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During a press conference on Tuesday, Ronald Koeman confirmed that they are close to a deal with FC Twente for their 25-year-old defender, who would act as cover for the injured Ryan Bertrand.
Koeman said on Martina, “We are interested in him and it’s close, it’s close.”
“Ryan had a small surgery in both his knees 10 days ago and will be out for the coming weeks. The number of defenders we have in the squad is too small, so we need more competition. That player is available for three of the four positions in defence, and so would give us more players for a tough season.”
The versatile Curacao international, who can play any position along the backline, spent two years playing under Koeman’s brother and Southampton assistant Erwin at RKC before joining FC Twente in 2013. In two years at Twente, Martina has made 48 league appearances, scoring once.
Cash strapped FC Twente have already lost defenders Andreas Bjelland, Dico Koppers, and Darryl Lachman this summer, but are set to sell Martina for a rumoured fee around €1.5 million.
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