Everton set to battle West Ham for Serie A defender with contract decision made – report
Everton are interested in signing Napoli’s Nikola Maksimovic with the defender set to leave the club as a free agent in the summer, according to journalist Nicolo Schira.
Earlier this year, AreaNapoli.it reported that Maksimovic’s agent was in discussions with the club over the future of his player and it now seems a decision has been made.
Maksimovic, 29, has been on the periphery of the Napoli side that usually plays in Serie A this season though he has featured heavily in the Europa League.
Transfer expert Schira claims that Inter Milan, AS Roma and West Ham are also interested in the player with these clubs already in contact with Maksimovic’s agent.
The Blues and the Hammers look set to duke it out for a second Serie A star with Calcio Mercato reporting that both sides are interested in Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
There are some quality clubs following Maksimovic which suggests that Napoli may be making a mistake in letting him go.
Maksimovic has been at Napoli since 2016 which means he crossed paths with Carlo Ancelotti.
The defender made 28 appearances in all competitions for Ancelotti in his first year at the club which suggests he wasn’t a regular first-team player.
Though he was deployed extensively in the Champions League group stage as he was given the nod to start in huge games against Liverpool and PSG.
His Serie A exploits tell a different story though as he was an unused substitute in games against AC Milan and Juventus.
Ancelotti must know him well and he could be eyeing a bargain if Maksimovic is going to be available on a free this summer.
Of course, there is another centre back at Napoli that we would all like to see join but this could be a summer of wheeling and dealing with many clubs cash strapped due to the pandemic.
Plenty of clubs will be chasing free agents and Maksimovic could be one of the best ones out there.
Let’s hope Ancelotti can work his magic.
In other Everton news, a report claims this Blues ace has been sent home from international duty.
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