According to Il Napoli, Carlo Ancelotti is strongly interested in bringing Napoli shot-stopper Alex Meret to Goodison Park.
The Italian news outlet claim that the €25 million (£21.5 million) glovesman will ask to leave if Napoli do not qualify for the Champions League.
Il Napoli add that the Toffees target would also want to leave Naples to escape his ‘continuous’ battle with David Ospina for the No.1 shirt.
Now, this rumour could have legs, as Ancelotti and Meret know each other pretty well.
The 23-year-old was actually brought to Napoli during Ancelotti’s time in charge, for the substantial fee of £21.5 million – as aforesaid.
At the time of his signing, Meret was just 21, so it was a huge show of faith in the precocious goalkeeper who has been tipped for big things.
Udinese legend Antonio Di Natale believes the Everton target is ‘the new’ Gianluigi Buffon, which is quite a bold statement.
Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss, the 43-year-old said: “I saw him grow in all aspects, both technically and in terms of character. Napoli have secured a goalkeeper for the next 10 years. For me, he’s the new Buffon.”
There are certainly many similarities to the Juventus legend.
Both Meret and Buffon are Italy internationals, while the latter became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in 2001 after joining Juventus for £23.3 million.
They’ve both made big-money moves as youngsters, and if Meret can have even half the career Buffon had, he will be an incredible player.
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