Reliable journalist: Everton scouts were at Sunday game to watch Serie A sensation
When you look at this Everton squad and consider its strengths and weaknesses, you’d have to say that a lack of depth at centre back is a real problem.
It’s been an issue all season long, ever since they missed out on the signing of last campaign’s loan star Kurt Zouma.
It was something of a surprise that the Toffees didn’t reinforce the heart of their defence during the January transfer window.
Alas, they decided to continue with just Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate and Michael Keane as their senior centre halves.
However, it appears that the Blues certainly have the eyes on a new centre back ready for next season.
Respected Italian journalist Nicolo Schira claimed on his personal Twitter account on Sunday that Everton’s scouts were at Hellas Verona’s clash with Udinese to observe the former’s centre half Marash Kumbulla.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the high-flying Serie A side, and has a number of big teams looking at him.
Schira reports that representatives of Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund were also watching Kumbulla, while Napoli are interested in signing him in the summer as well.
Verona are thought to value the defender at around £25million.
Would Kumbulla be a good signing for Everton?
He certainly would be, yes. The Albanian international has been a revelation for Verona this term, playing 19 times for the sixth-best team in Italy.
His immense quality at such a young age means that there is naturally plenty of interest in him.
Inter, Napoli and Dortmund would be fierce competitors for Kumbulla’s signature, but Everton might be able to win him with the promise of more regular first team football than he’d get at those teams.
That’s probably their only shot at getting him, but if they can pull it off it would represent a real coup.
In other Everton news, the club are reportedly worried that a summer signing may not play again this season.