Loads of Everton fans have been reacting on social media to reports by Calciomercato.it, claiming Juventus are interested in signing AS Monaco right-back Djibril Sidibe.
The Old Lady had looked into the potential of a deal for the Frenchman last year, but ultimately signed Manchester City’s Danilo in a £34.1million deal whilst Joao Cancelo headed in the opposite direction to replace the Brazilian at the Etihad Stadium.
But Juve have been far from impressed by Danilo’s exploits in Turin, and are now actively considering potential alternatives, including Sidibe, with Mattia De Sciglio also expected to leave.
Danilo has managed an average of just 0.3 accurate crosses, 0.8 successful dribbles, 1.1 key balls and 1.8 successful tackles from 2.6 per 90 minutes in the Italian top-flight over 11 outings, per WhoScored data.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Thomas Meunier is another candidate, while Juve boss Maurizio Sarri could award Luca Pellegrini a chance to impress once he returns from a loan spell with Cagliari Calcio.
The Serie A giants would have to rely on Everton not exercising our option to buy clause for Sidibe if they were to covet his signature, which is said to be available for around €15m (£12.5m).
Would you be frustrated to see Sidibe join Juve?
Yes
No
Our deal with Sidibe’s parent club Monaco struck last summer includes a €14m (£11.6m) option to buy clause, having also agreed to pay the French Ligue 1 side €2.5m (£2m) to facilitate the temporary side of the deal.
That investment has returned 18 Premier League appearances combined over Marco Silva and Carlo Ancelotti’s respective spells in charge, and has seen the 18-cap right-back produce the first-team’s third-most accurate crosses (17), fifth-most big chances made (four) and fourth-most key balls (17) in total, per Sofa Score.
Sidibe has also proven himself as a favourite of Ancelotti since the Italian succeed Silva, with the boss calling on him to start six of his eight league games in charge.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Juve’s rumoured interest in Sidibe…
Sounds to me like Sidibe’s Agent is trying to force Everton’s hand…. https://t.co/MW8vJrGlWW
— Ben Crawford (@bencrawford94) February 21, 2020
How many full backs do they need? Them and City need to give their heads a wobble
— Cameron Dunleavy (@c_dunleavy) February 21, 2020
@KeithAdo not having this https://t.co/aAI3TcEzES
— Anthony Kinder (@anthony_kinder) February 21, 2020
Sidibes agent been busy in the press creating fake news? Dont fall for it blues🤔
— Robert Edwards (@chefmainia) February 21, 2020
I don’t get the logic behind signing him personally. I’d rather get a proper right back, he’s a wing back. https://t.co/BKvqIdUbgk
— ㅤً (@Evertxn) February 21, 2020
Keep kenny
— USM Usmanov (@scousebluenos3) February 21, 2020
Interesting https://t.co/s4nwgVs9wu
— Louis Crawford (@LCrawford2401) February 21, 2020
Coleman looking really off it nowadays so is this just making an average player look good in sidibe? Or do you think hes worth buying? Is there not better talent out there that wont break the bank?
— Robert Edwards (@chefmainia) February 21, 2020
In other Everton news, the club have been backed to make a “good acquisition” by landing a €20m rumoured target.