Speaking exclusively to GiveMeSport, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Everton’s interest in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly but says nothing is at an advanced stage yet.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, of course, managed Koulibaly during his time at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and recent reports have suggested that a reunion could be on the cards.
However, while Ancelotti is said to love the player, according to Romano, no deal is close to bring the 29-year-old centre-back to Goodison Park.
Do you believe that there is any possibility of the Toffees signing Kalidou Koulibaly?
Yes, anything is possible
No, not going to happen
Talking about Everton’s interest in Koulibaly ahead of the summer transfer window, Romano told GiveMeSport:
“At the moment, what I’m told is that with Everton there is nothing advanced. Obviously Ancelotti loves the player, so I can say yes [interest in the player] because he was amazing with Ancelotti when he was working at Napoli. They had a fantastic relationship.
“But remember the Napoli president [Aurelio] De Laurentiis last summer he asked for €80m and Manchester City arrived to offer 65/67 and they said ‘no, 80 or nothing’.”
This is not the first time Koulibaly has been linked with a move to Everton, with reports in 2016 suggesting that the Merseyside club were desperate to bring the Senegal international to Goodison Park that year.
As well as Everton, Premier League rivals Chelsea, managed by Antonio Conte at the time, were also keen on signing the centre-half, something confirmed later by De Laurentiis himself.