Fans of Everton have been reacting to the latest on the transfer link between the Toffees and Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
According to comments which were made by journalist Valter De Maggio on Italian radio according to CalcioNapoli24, as cited by Sport Witness, Carlo Ancelotti has the Senegalese defender at “the top of his list of goals” to strengthen the Toffees’ defence (via @TheGwladysSt).
?Italian journalist Valter De Maggio speaking to radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli. “From what I understand, Carlo Ancelotti has placed Kalidou Koulibaly at the top of his list of goals to strengthen the defence of Everton.”#EFC pic.twitter.com/CdsBH0WhIP
— The Everton End (@TheEvertonEnd) April 7, 2020
Absolute nonsense.
— Raumdeuter. (@exiledtoffee) April 7, 2020
He’s at the top of everyone else’s list, too. Man is this some ridiculous stuff this spring.
— Ryan Williams (@RyanSoccerAA) April 7, 2020
Breaking news: Everton linked with every player in Italy per Carlos request
— Garrison S. Ball (@GarrisonBall423) April 7, 2020
Top top CB him. Would love to see him at everton, but so would half of Europes top teams.
— terry burns (@terryb318) April 7, 2020
Do you believe that there is any truth in the Kalidou Koulibaly to Everton transfer rumour?Yes, could be possible
No, there's no chance
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According to Sport Witness’ report, the Serie A centre-back is also on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
The 28-year-old defender has been only the 12th-best performer for Napoli in Serie A this season with a 6.78/10 average rating (per WhoScored), so, supporters continued to air their disbelief.
not happening.
— paul (@bramlymoore) April 7, 2020
Get Gabriel and Diop for that
— Wayne Harbert (@WayneHarbs) April 7, 2020
Not a chance ?
— Adam Mc (@adam_efc90) April 7, 2020
No way we are buying him unless FFP has been binned off
— Dave (@DM_HIGGS) April 7, 2020
I would be pleasantly shocked if he came to us because a lot of other clubs who can offer him champions league are interested. We would have pay above and beyond on the fee & his wages to get him here
— Chris Perez (@ChrisPerez75) April 7, 2020
What do we think?
The link between the Toffees and Koulibaly is not the first time that the transfer rumour has arisen, with Gazzetta dello Sport, as cited by Sport Witness, having reported the centre-back as a possible Everton signing previously.
Defensively, though, the Senegalese defender’s stats in Serie A are dwarfed by those of Djibril Sidibe in the Premier League.
The Frenchman has made 3.7 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 1.1 fouls per Premier League game on average this season (per WhoScored), whereas Koulibaly has made just 2.6 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 1.5 fouls per Serie A game on average (per WhoScored).