Report: Everton target Kouliably wants to remain with Napoli
Everton could be left frustrated in their reported pursuit of Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, with the player not keen on leaving Napoli.
Everton’s interest in the 29-year old centre-back was reported by talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook last week, who claimed that Carlo Ancelotti is keen to reunite with the defender he managed at the San Paolo.
The Toffees are said to be keen on signing “two or three” marquee players this summer as Ancelotti continues to push the club towards Champions League qualification.
However, Everton’s plans may have suffered a big blow, with sources in Italy claiming that Koulibaly doesn’t wish to leave the Partenopei at the end of the season.
Radio Punto Nuovo, relayed by Arena Napoli, claim that not only has Koulibaly got his heart set on remaining in Naples, but the Serie A club also have yet to receive a single official offer, and that information comes from Koulibaly’s agent Fali Ramadani.
Should Ancelotti double down and push harder to sign a marquee centre-back this summer, he may be forced to consider alternative targets.
Everton need long-term fix
On the surface, it would be a shame if Everton aren’t able to land Koulibaly this summer, because he’d undoubtedly improve the club’s backline immediately while his signing would also indicate a major power shift in the Premier League.
However on the other hand we could be getting away with one if the Senegal international isn’t willing to come to Merseyside.
Koulibaly will be 30-years old by the time next season gets underway and that doesn’t exactly bode well for the Blues in the long-run, with his ability and sell-on value likely to diminish as times goes by.
Not only that, the defender is also on astronomical wages in Naples. Contract experts Salary Sport report that Koulibaly is currently Napoli’s highest earner on £195,000-a-week, which would shatter the wage structure at Goodison Park.
For everything positive Koulibaly could bring to Merseyside, he would represent a short-term solution where Everton need a long-term fix, and so his reluctance to leave could work out for Everton in the long run.
In other Everton news, Ancelotti is ‘intent’ on signing Robin Olsen on a permanent basis this summer.