Roberto Martinez: 'Arouna Kone is at his peak'

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes that Arouna Kone would become a "big asset" to the club should he move to Goodison Park.

Kone has received an offer from his former boss to move to the Merseyside club, and Martinez is adamant that the Ivory Coast international is currently at the "peak of his career".

The 39-year-old told the Liverpool Echo: "Arouna had a big injury to his cruciate. That can sometimes be negative, but in his case, it was the opposite. It refreshed him, and he is a young 29 years old.

"He's at the peak of his career. When you get a player who is - from the physical point of view to the tactical and the technical - in peak condition, it excites you. And that's where Arouna is.

"He had a fantastic move from Holland to Sevilla for big, big money, where he had a little bit of trouble with inconsistency and injuries, but now he is back to his very, very best and he will be a big asset."

Newcastle United are also interested in signing the former Sevilla forward.