Everton get instant response as £38.8m Assane Diao bid tabled, Cesc Fabregas loves him

Everton's summer recruitment will have to be spot on if they want to bridge the gap to those European football places.

David Moyes' side ultimately fell short due to a lack of quality and perhaps experience in challenging for those positions.

Defensive signings will be key with fullbacks undoubtedly on the Toffees' radar, but the wide attacking areas are also in need of a refresh.

Everton have identified Como winger Assane Diao as a potential attacking signing ahead of the summer window, with reports that an offer has already been made.

The Senegalese forward enjoyed a successful spell in the Serie A last season and the outcome of that bid has been shared.

How did Como react to Everton's bid for Assane Diao?

It appears Everton is looking to get some business done early this summer, with Tuttomercato reporting that a bid for Diao was sent.

The Italian outlet reports that Everton "recently offered" a bid of £38.8million (€45million) to bring the Senegal international to Merseyside.

Unfortunately, that offer fell far below what the Serie A side is looking to sell the 20-year-old for.

Como are holding out for £64.7m (€75m), a fee that Everton would be unlikely to fork out for Diao.

Como manager Cesc Fabregas will not want to lose the Senegalese forward easily, with the Spaniard full of praise for the qualities he offers

After a 4-1 win against Udinese in January 2026, Fabregas described Diao as "a young, strong and powerful" player.

The Como ace is also versatile, with him capable of playing on either wing, with his appearances for the Italian outfit close to evenly split.

He has featured 16 times on the left side, with 15 appearances deployed on the right side.

How Everton could use the World Cup to their advantage

If the Toffees can negotiate a better fee, they could also use the Senegalese connections to their advantage as well. Everton would need to convince Diao of the move.

However, Diao is heading to the World Cup alongside Everton stars Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye.

If Diao is a player they truly want at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the current Everton crop could get into his ear and sing the praises of the L3 side, as well as Moyes.

With uncertainty surrounding the future of Tyrique George in Merseyside, and a deal still to be hashed out over Jack Grealish, the wide forward areas could need restructuring.

Additionally, with transfer rumours circling around the future of Ndiaye, his Senegalese teammate could end up being his eventual successor for Everton.

At just 20 years old, Diao has already netted 10 Serie goals in just 32-appearances across two seasons in Italy - not a terrible return for a player his age.

But, at the fees being discussed, it could represent quite a risk for the Blues.