Report: Everton to bid for ‘exceptional’ £46,000-per-week star, he’s told his club to sell

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Everton and Leicester City are set to make formal offers to sign Joaquin Correa after the Argentine forward told Lazio he wants to leave the Serie A side, according to Il Messaggero.

The Premier League rivals are very interested in bringing the Copa America champion to England this summer. And Lazio are not against selling Correa, it seems, as the 26-year-old is the most likely player to leave.

Lazio are also allowing Felipe Caicedo and Vedat Muriqi to depart for pastures new, but are yet to agree deals. Sporting Director Igli Tare could soon meet Borussia Monchengladbach to discuss a loan-to-buy transfer for Muriqi worth €15m (£13m), however.

Everton and Leicester may keep Tare busy over the coming weeks with both set to make Lazio offers for Correa. The Toffees and Foxes are both prepared to pay the Biancocelesti €25m (£21.5m) plus bonuses to sign the six-cap international.

But Lazio want a minimum of €35m (£30m) to sell Correa, per TuttoMercatoWEB. President Claudio Lotito even believes the £46,000-per-week playmaker is worth €50m (£42.5m) in line with his form. Correa scored 11 times and offered six assists in 38 games last season.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have also targeted the shadow striker, who turns 27 on August 13. Alfredo Pedulla claimed Spurs bid £25m for Correa in July, while the Gunners bid £17m in June, per Il Messaggero.

Everton and Leicester, then, will have to table convincing add-ons if they are to sign Correa from Lazio for £21.5m. The €10m (£8.5m) difference in initial valuations is a big margin for either to bridge with performance related bonuses, though.

Lazio to reject Everton and Leicester bids for Correa?

It is highly likely that Lazio will reject Everton and Leicester’s offers for Correa unless the add-ons are realistically achievable. Lotito will be loath to accept a big hit on his asking price for a player who thrived last season.

Simone Inzaghi also waxed lyrical about Correa during his time in charge at Lazio. The now Inter Milan boss claimed in May, via Lazialita: “In important matches, he is a boy who elevates himself. He lives them very well, he is an exceptional player.”

But while Lazio want a high price for Everton and Leicester target Correa, he wants to leave the club. TuttoMercatoWEB reported on Monday that he has told the Stadio Olimpico natives to sell him. Offering the Toffees and Foxes hope that Lazio will accept their bid.