Everton legend Graeme Sharp can understand Roberto Martinez waiting to be reunited with Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone.

Everton are in talks with the Latics over a fee for the Ivorian.

Sharp told the Liverpool Echo: "For a team which ultimately were relegated you've got to say 13 goals isn't bad.

"You'd like to think that in a better team his goal return will be better. His goals weren't all just one type either.

"Some were with his right foot, others his left and he scored the odd header. His movement was good and he obviously works well for the team."

Sharp admits that there is a degree of risk in the signing although he insists Everton have needed extra fire power for long enough.

"It's always a gamble to some degree when you bring in new players and there's always the fear that strikers new to this division could suffer second season syndrome in the way we saw Nikica Jelavic struggle at times last season.

"But the important thing is that Roberto Martinez knows him better than anyone else and clearly has faith that he can take his game up another level, which will be necessary if he's going to be a hit at Everton."