According to the Mirror, Everton are ‘admirers’ of Mohammed Salisu and may have to battle Southampton, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Stade Rennais to procure his signature.
The 21-year-old has impressed at Real Valladolid and is expected to receive offers from a host of European clubs this summer. The Mirror say Salisu has a ‘£10m buy-out clause’, so he won’t break the bank.
Everton loaned out Matthew Pennington to Hull City last summer while releasing Ashley Williams (who joined Bristol City) and Phil Jagielka (who returned to Sheffield United), so they’ve been threadbare at centre-back. Carlo Ancelotti has Lewis Gibson, Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina and Michael Keane, but Gibson could be loaned out next season so he’ll need to be replaced.
The Blues have been linked with Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Jean-Clair Todibo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marash Kumbulla, Christian Luyindama, Issa Diop and Tosin Adarabioyo, but the Mirror say Salisu is a player they’ve asked for updates on.
The Ghanaian defender has made 32 appearances in all competitions since joining Valladolid from African Talent Football Academy in 2017. He’s been a regular under Sergio González Soriano and could have a bright future away from the José Zorrilla Stadium.