Meet Krepin Diatta: The Everton transfer target who controversially looks up to Sadio Mane

Krepin Diatta could be one of the more interesting players that Everton are looking to target this summer.

That could be said for many reasons, one being the fact that he is now a free agent after his contract with Monaco expired

The Senegal international is currently looking for his next club, and the Toffees are keen, along with other clubs in Europe.

Diatta was once an edge-of-the-seat player who used to feature mainly as a goal-scoring attacker.

He's transformed into a useful right-back in recent seasons, a position that David Moyes is desperate to improve.

However, Everton fans may think differently about Diatta after learning about his history with former Liverpool hero Sadio Mane.

What Krepin Diatta has said about former Liverpool hero Sadio Mane

A non-negotiable about players Everton sign is that they need to understand what it means to play for the club.

Hayden Hackney's first words as a Toffee prove he's done his research on the club, with Tyrique George also showcasing that he's learnt about the culture after returning to Hill Dickinson.

Everton have been linked with a move for Diatta, while Marseille are said to be preparing an offer for the 27-year-old.

Ipswich Town also admire the defender, who has played with former Liverpool star Mane for Senegal.

Speaking about the former Red in February of 2021, Diatta had lots to say.

Diatta said, as picked up by Press Afrik: "I don't think I can be compared to him. But Sadio is a big brother to me. We are very close; he inspires me a lot, and I take my cue from him. He's someone I talk to on a daily basis.

"I think he's an example for all young Senegalese players, obviously. He is a role model for all young Senegalese players."

Given that he admitted to talking to Mane lots, there's no way he wouldn't have learned a base-level understanding of Liverpool at the very least, and that he wasn't cheering his compatriot on when it came to them playing Everton.

If this is already in the public domain, what else could be out there?

Diatta's injury history examined

Some say that availability is the best ability, and Everton fans would know that best, especially with defenders.

Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson missed large parts of last season through injury, which forced Jake O'Brien to play perhaps more than expected at right-back.

However, Diatta would potentially give the Toffees some further issues, but his only real injury in recent years came last season, which was minor.

The versatile full-back missed just four matches due to a muscle injury from February until March, but did miss over 200 days of action some years ago after suffering an ACL injury in 2021.

Diatta would come to Everton with a slightly controversial background, but Moyes may overlook that due to his undeniable qualities.