Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has been speaking on the latest edition of the Here We Go transfers show on Robbie Lyle’s YouTube channel.
One potential transfer the Italian spoke of is the situation surrounding Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, amid reported interest from Everton.
Will Everton sign Koulibaly this summer?
Yes
No
According to Calciomercato, the Toffees have already submitted a bid for the 30-year-old centre-back, who now has just two years remaining on his current deal.
The new Everton boss and the Senegalese defender have history with Koulibaly featuring 39 times for Napoli under Rafa Benitez during the 2014/15 campaign (via Transfermarkt).
Discussing the latest regarding the 30-year-old’s future, Romano had the following to say on the reports to emerge from Italy.
“It could be a possibility only if Everton will be prepared to spend a lot of money, because last summer Napoli were turning down a proposal from Manchester City for €65m and I think they will be on the same point.
“Okay, the player is not so young, but he’s the star, one of the stars in Napoli and if they want to sign him it is not around €40m. I see some reports from Italy saying €40m/€45m, I’m told that it’s more than this. It’s far more than this, around €70m, something like this to sign Koulibaly, so it won’t be so easy.”
TIF Thoughts on Koulibaly to Everton…
If Romano is correct, Everton will have to break their club-record transfer fee for Koulibaly if they want to acquire his services this summer.
We find it difficult to see the Toffees putting forward a bid in the region of what Romano suggested given the age of the player. Koulibaly has been linked with some high profile moves in the past, but at the age of 30, surely he is priced out of a potential move this summer?
It is reported Koulibaly is earning £195k-per-week, which is £75k more than their current highest earner. It appears to be a complicated move for Everton to make possible but we question whether they could make better use of their transfer funds?
In other news: ‘There’s a clear consensus’ – Journalist drops ‘transfer priority’ for Benitez at Everton