Transfer expert Ciro Venerato offers update on Everton move for Kalidou Koulibaly
Everton are interested in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly but there is nothing concrete yet, according to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato via Spazio Napoli.
Instead, the journalist hints at more significant developments starting at the beginning of the summer window.
Spazio Napoli describes Venerato as a transfer expert, and it relays quotes he said on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli’s Radio Goal show.
Venerato said, “Koulibaly at Everton? [Aurelio] De Laurentiis and Ancelotti have remained on good terms and often hear each other, so they probably talked about Koulibaly.
“However, I don’t think Everton spoke to [Fali] Ramadani [agent Koulibaly’s agent].
“The real market for Koulibaly and Fabian Ruiz will start from June onwards, if not later.
“There are economic reasons that prevent large investments. On Koulibaly, for example, there are five or six Bundesliga and Premier League clubs, but for now nothing concrete.”
Summer window
Koulibaly would be a great addition but he will likely only join if a defender leaves.
Should that happen, he has to be top of our wishlist, as he would provide Champions League and Europa League experience.
He has excelled in the latter competition this year, too, and has an average rating of 7.6, per Football Critic.
That ranks him third overall out of players who have played at least 500 minutes, behind Harry Kane and Nicolas Pepe but ahead of Alfredo Morelos and Giovani Lo Celso.
But while a possible transfer for Koulibaly seems unlikely at his stage, Venerato’s update is still intriguing.
If Ancelotti still has a close relationship with Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli’s owner, then that could give us an advantage in signing their other stars.
Ruiz is one who could leave and he could be an improvement on the likes of Tom Davies and Andre Gomes.
We will have to wait and see what the summer has in store for us.
In other Everton news, Kevin Campbell believes one Toffees ace is heading for the exit door.
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