Martinez ready to end defender interest.


Everton have been informed they are wasting their time in pursuit of Lyons' highly-rated defensive starlet Samuel Umtiti.

The Goodison Park outfit were hoping to head the queue for the France Under-21 player and have been scouting him since the autumn.

Lyon, however, have now made it clear he will only be allowed to join a team competing in the Champions League if they do decide to sell this summer.

The French outfit have placed a £12million valuation on the powerful 21-year-old, who can operate both in central defence and at left-back.

Although it is believed that Roberto Martinez will now turn his attentions elsewhere, Everton still remain hopeful of concluding a separate piece of business with Lyon.

The Merseysiders have put a lot of effort into preparing a bid for attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir, who fancies a switch to the Premier League, but they could face competition as Arsenal have also been credited with an interest.