Everton have shown genuine interest in defender Kalidou Koulibaly but it seems like local rivals Liverpool might be ready to hijack the deal.
As per the latest gossip, Everton have made their first bid for the Napoli defender this week which means Rafa Benitez is very much serious about signing the centre-back.
But, out of nowhere Liverpool are also being linked with the 30-year-old, despite them already signing Ibrahima Konate this summer.
Liverpool Echo cites Paisley Gates: “Liverpool reportedly still hold an interest in signing Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
“According to Corriere dello Sport, via Paisley Gates, the Reds are ‘very interested’ in signing the centre-back, who is valued at around €50m.
“However, the report goes on to say that Liverpool are only prepared to offer up to €40m for the 30-year-old.”
Kalidou Koulibaly to join Everton or Liverpool?
This is not the first time Liverpool have shown an interest in signing Kalidou Koulibaly but we don’t think either of the two Merseyside clubs will be able to get their hands on the defender.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Napoli have no intentions of letting him leave for a bargain deal and if the transfer expert is right(which is most often is), then Liverpool or Everton will not be able to afford Koulibaly.
Romano said on the Here We Go transfer show, as quoted: “It could be a possibility only if Everton will be prepared to spend a lot of money, because last summer Napoli were turning down a proposal from Manchester City for €65m and I think they will be on the same point.
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“Okay, the player is not so young, but he’s the star, one of the stars in Napoli and if they want to sign him it is not around €40m.
“I see some reports from Italy saying €40m/€45m, I’m told that it’s more than this. It’s far more than this, around €70m, something like this to sign Koulibaly, so it won’t be so easy.”
Kalidou Koulibaly has two more years left on his current deal so Napoli cannot be too rigid in their demands this time around. Having said that, we don’t think the Serie A side will let the centre-back leave for anything less than €60m.
Now, we will have to wait and see if Liverpool or Everton have the financial might to match Napoli’s demands.
