Everton and Nottingham Forest are in the race for €15m Brazilian defender

Everton and Nottingham Forest are in the race for €15m Brazilian defender Everton Eye Gustavo Martins in January Transfer Battle Everton are back in the market for a centre-back, and the name doing the rounds is Gustavo Martins. According to Hard Tackle, the 24-year-old Gremio defender is firmly on the radar ahead of the January transfer window, with Nottingham Forest also tracking the Brazilian. This is the sort of move that makes sense on paper. Everton need defensive renewal, not cosmetic change. Jarrad Branthwaite continues to attract serious attention, and when a key defender is linked away, sensible clubs prepare early. On top of that, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane are both past 30. That does not mean they are finished, it means planning matters. imago Gustavo Martins Profile Fits Everton Need Martins has built solid experience at Gremio since arriving in 2019, after developing at Vasco da Gama. He has already made 129 appearances for the Brazilian side and contributed 13 goals and two assists, which is a respectable return for a central defender. In a poor 2026 campaign for Gremio, he has still managed to stand out, featuring 40 times with four goals and two assists. The report states that Gremio want around €12-15 million. In today’s market, that is not outrageous for a 24-year-old centre-back with senior experience, physical presence and room to improve. At 1.91m, he has the size Premier League clubs look for, and the wider appeal comes from his mobility. If the assessment is correct, he offers pace and agility as well as strength, which is what separates useful defenders from those who get exposed quickly in England. Everton Transfer Strategy Looks Sensible Everton have been linked with other defenders, including Vitao, and that tells you the recruitment team know exactly where the issue is. This is about succession planning and squad balance. A right-footed central defender who can grow into the role has obvious value. Forest being in the mix is no surprise either. Good-value defenders at this age do not stay under the radar for long. The report adds that Martins is “in line” to move to the Premier League in January. If that proves accurate, Everton will need to move decisively. There is no guarantee here, and there never is with players arriving from South America mid-season. But for the price, the profile and the timing, this feels like a credible Everton move rather than idle market noise. Our View This is the kind of link that gets attention because it feels realistic. Everton do need another centre-back, and not just for depth. The club need a player who can grow into something important over the next few years. Too often, the squad has been patched up with short-term fixes. That approach leaves you standing still. If Gustavo Martins really is available for €12-15 million, then Everton should be all over it. That is a manageable fee for a 24-year-old with proper first-team mileage and the physical tools to handle English football. He sounds like someone who could compete quickly, and maybe even develop resale value, which matters. The obvious question is adaptation. Brazilian defenders can need time with the pace, physicality and scrutiny of the Premier League. Some settle, some do not. Everton cannot afford another signing who needs 18 months before anyone knows if he is good enough. Still, there is logic here. Branthwaite’s future will keep being discussed, Tarkowski will not go on forever, and Keane has never looked like a long-term answer. Recruitment has to be proactive. If Everton want to be taken seriously, this is the sort of deal they should be capable of winning, especially against a rival like Nottingham Forest. No hype needed. Just identify the need, pay the fee, and get the right player in. Source: Hard Tackle