Season › 2013-14 › News Kone close to Everton switch Lyndon Lloyd , 2 July, 0comments | Jump to most recent Wigan chairman expects a deal within 24 hours Arouna Kone looks set to become Roberto Martinez's first signing as Everton manager after Wigan Athletic chairman, Dave Whelan, indicated to Sky Sports that he expects a deal to be concluded within the next 24 hours. Those comments follow Latics boss Owen Coyle's own announcement to BBC Radio 5Live yesterday that he expects the Ivorian to leave the DW Stadium this week, with Goodison Park his preferred destination. Martinez is believed to activated the 29 year-old's £5m release clause and though there have reports of initial wrangling over the terms of the payment, BBC Sport's Phil McNulty writes that he expects the transfer to go through this week. Whelan admitted that two other clubs had lodged bids for the striker, one of which is believed to have been Norwich City. Kone, who will be 30 in November, scored 11 times in 33 games for Wigan in the Premier League last season after joining them from Levante. Prior to that he scored 21 times in 53 games for PSV Eindhoven between 2005 and 2007 before moving on to a less productive spell with Sevilla during which he was sent out on loan to Hanover and Levante. Kone is expected to be joined at Everton by Antolin Alcaraz who can leave Wigan as a free agent this summer. Martinez is keen to continue his association with the 30 year-old Paraguayan who could provide cover for Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin, particularly, as is being mooted, John Heitinga moves on this summer. Quotes or other material sourced from BBC Sport Rumour Mill: Kone completes medical Newcastle cleared for talks with Kone About these ads © ToffeeWeb