Everton are chasing the signature of Juventus linked defender Thomas Heurtaux this summer.
The 27-year-old defender has caught the imagination of his suitors with his assured performances for Udinese at the back last season.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has taken note of his showings in Serie A and according to Italian broadcaster Sport Mediaset, wants to take him to Merseyside this summer.
While Juventus are also big admires of Heurtaux, Everton are thought to be leading the chase and are expected to open talks with Udinese soon.
Martinez is in the market for defenders after releasing Sylvain Distin and Antolin Alcaraz earlier in the summer and Heurtaux is believed to be one of his top priorities at the moment.
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The defender started his career at French outfit SM Caen, before joining Serie A side Udinese in 2012.
He has quickly established himself as one of the mainstays at the Stadio Friuli and though he suffered with injury problems last season, the defender still made 26 league appearances to help the club finish 16th in the league table.
Heurtaux’s contract with Udinese runs out in the summer of 2017.
