Report: Everton table bid for Kalidou Koulibaly
Everton have reportedly tabled an opening bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
According to Calciomercato, the Premier League side tabled an offer for the Senegal international on Wednesday evening.
The Toffees are keen on bolstering their defensive ranks this summer and have identified the 30-year-old as their prime target.
Let's get this done
The Napoli defender was a Carlo Ancelotti favourite, but we're delighted that Rafa Benitez and the Everton board are backing the pursuit wholeheartedly to sign a truly world-class defender.
Speaking to Goodison News, Kevin Campbell referred to him as a "brilliant" signing for the club.
He may be 30, but defenders usually peak at that age and despite him being slower than he was a few years ago, his organisation and leadership skills will not subside and neither will his timing of the tackle.
He is an exemplary ball winner and a robust central defender who seldom allows attackers to get the better of him.
Given the signings we made under Ancelotti, we've sent a message to some of Europe's top clubs about the names we can attract to Goodison Park.
We can certainly match their wages and transfer fees and the glamour of playing in the Premier League could be enough to get players like Koulibaly over the line.
Benitez shares a past relationship with the player, given his time at Napoli, and could be in direct contact with him, asking him to join us in the summer.
He would prove to be a major upgrade on our current options and we expect the likes of Michael Keane and Yerry Mina to step their game up a notch if we are to realistically finish in the top six next season.
Ben Godfrey would also learn a great deal from the Napoli defender and could even be ready to be his first-choice partner in a year or two.
In other Everton news, Benitez responds to Everton transfer speculation on £13m-rated Euro 2020 ace