Report: Everton targeting Swansea captain Ashley Williams

Everton bench boss Roberto Martinez has apparently identified Swansea City skipper Ashley Williams as the man to straighten out Everton's accommodating backline.

The Toffees' back four has been subject to much of the Goodison Park faithful's consternation this season as it has leaked 29 goals at home - second only to already-relegated Aston Villa's tally of 31.

These defensive struggles have seen Martinez's future on Merseyside come under intense scrutiny, especially after Wednesday's harrowing 4-0 derby defeat to Liverpool, prompting the Spaniard to select Williams as his top target when the transfer window opens, according to ESPN FC's Peter O'Rourke.

Thirty-one-year-old Williams was signed from Stockport County for around £400,000 in 2008, and has since succeeded his former manager Garry Monk as club captain in 2013 while collecting 58 international caps for Wales. He has two years remaining on his contract in South Wales and is a firm fan favourite at Liberty Stadium.

With 33-year-old Phil Jagielka's influence beginning to dwindle at Everton, Williams could offer some valuable experience in Martinez's regular XI alongside fellow centre-backs Ramiro Funes Mori, who is 25 and only moved to the Premier League last summer, and the precocious yet inconsistent talent of John Stones. The latter, however, has been the subject of interest from both Chelsea and Manchester City for some time, and could part ways with the Toffees this summer.

In what is the second of a pivotal couple of matches in Martinez's reign, Everton looks to overcome its derby day humiliation against Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.