Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti insists Kalidou Koulibaly isn’t for sale
Everton are interested in bringing Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly to Goodison Park, but manager Luciano Spalletti insists he is not for sale.
90min reported that Toffees boss Rafa Benitez wants a reunion with the Senegalese, and Kevin Campbell told Goodison News exclusively that he would back a move for the “quick, imposing and a good footballer.”
Everton may have to look elsewhere for the defensive reinforcement they want, though, with Spalletti not ready to lose one of his most important players.
The new Napoli boss said (via Liverpool Echo): “Koulibaly is one of the vice-captains in this squad.
“As far as I am concerned, he is staying at Napoli.
“It’s not easy to find a replacement for him, all his teammates appreciate him and I’ve realised he talks constantly on the pitch. Everyone respects his presence in the locker room.”
Huge blow
Having replaced Gennaro Gattuso at the Serie A club, Spalletti knows losing the 30-year-old would land a massive blow on his side’s defence, and Everton have got a tough battle on their hands if the Senegal international is to move to Goodison Park.
Benitez brought Koulibaly to Napoli from Genk in 2014, and the player could be keen to reunite with his former boss.
We know owner Farhad Moshiri would be keen to bring out the chequebook and meet the demands of the Italian club and defender, and we foresee an interesting saga.
The centre-back would most likely have the final say in all of these, and we definitely could do with such a quality centre-back.
Spalletti is doing what every manager would do in this case by warning suitors off his star player, but that does not mean much if the player in question wants to leave.
Everton’s lack of European football could be a hindrance to a deal, though, with Koulibaly likely to prefer a move to where Champions League football is available, or at least remain with Napoli and play in the Europa League next season.
In other Everton news, Euro giants are ready to ‘Sacrifice’ multi-million ace wanted by Toffees.
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