Everton are on alert after SSC Napoli President Aurelio de Laurentiis placed long-time defensive target Kalidou Koulibaly on the Serie A side’s transfer list, according to Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness.
Koulibaly’s signature was highly sought-after during the last summer window with Manchester United among a host of clubs said to be courting the Senegal international, though faced paying a record fee to land his services.
De Laurentiis was believed to be refusing any offer below the £75million Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk, as Koulibaly was widely seen as one of the best in the position in world football.
Now, however, Koulibaly’s status at the San Paolo Stadium has fallen somewhat after a campaign disrupted by injuries and a downturn in form, even to the point that De Laurentiis would consider selling the 28-year-old.
A deal would likely still come at a lofty sum, but reports in Italy have suggested that the asking price of a year ago is no more as the Napoli chief has lowered his demands.
Everton have long been credited with interest in moves for Koulibaly, with some reports dating back to 2016 suggesting the club’s hierarchy wanted to see the FC Metz product in Royal Blue and were willing to pay £35m to obtain him.
Would you back a move for Koulibaly this summer?
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Four years down the line and we are in the same position as we were under Ronald Koeman with reported interest in Koulibaly, with Gazzetta dello Sport describing our current position as ‘remaining vigilant’ on the 39-cap Senegal captain’s situation at Napoli.
Koulibaly has featured in 21 of the Italian outfit’s games this term across all competitions, including opening roles in 14 Serie A matches, having being forced to play fewer minutes after suffering a biceps femoris muscle injury in December and is currently sidelined with thigh problems.
He also sat out two league games bridging the end of September and start of October after being shown a straight red card late on in Carlo Ancelotti’s 1-0 defeat at home to Cagliari Calcio.
If his future is now set to be away from Naples after Gazzetta dello Sport suggested De Laurentiis is willing to lower his asking price, reports in France by Le Parisien, via the Express, have claimed that Koulibaly would prefer to secure a move to Manchester City.
In other Everton news, the club were unsuccessful in winter moves for a one-time league winner.