EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez is in talks with Antolin Alcaraz over a move to Goodison Park this summer.

The Blues boss has held preliminary discussions with the defender’s representatives and the dialogue is said to be ongoing.

Alcaraz is a free agent after his contract with Wigan Athletic finished at the end of the season and other clubs are said to be interested in securing his services.

But Martinez, who brought Alcaraz to the Premier League in May 2010, is keen on the 30-year-old joining him at Everton.

La Liga outfit Malaga and German side Werder Bremen are thought to be the other teams tracking the Paraguay international but the Blues will hope that Martinez’s relationship with the player could help seal the deal.

With the continued uncertainty over John Heitinga’s future at the club, Alcaraz appears a perfect fit for Everton although it is understood an agreement is still some way off.

The centre-half missed most of last season through injury and Martinez has said that his absence was a major blow to Wigan’s hopes of beating the drop.

Alcaraz did play in some of the Latics’ most impressive wins though, including their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City and the quarter-final win over Everton in March.

The former Club Brugge player, signed by Wigan for an undisclosed fee, scored the goal which secured Athletic’s Premier League safety in May last year.

Martinez described Alcaraz as “a highly versatile defender with great awareness and distribution and has great pride in keeping clean sheets” on his capture three years ago.

It remains unclear if Heitinga, who endured a difficult season with Everton, is in Martinez’s plans. The Holland international has been quoted as saying that it could be the time for him to move on.

“I’ve had my worst season since I joined,” he is reported to have said.

“I don’t want to extend my contract because it would mean they’d be my final club outside Holland.

“I have played in Spain and England, so maybe it’s time for somewhere else.”