Napoli have reportedly identified Clermont Foot defender Cedric Hountondji as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, who Everton are believed to be interested in.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A giants have chosen the Ligue 1 centre-back as a priority for the summer transfer window, with Napoli now expecting Koulibaly to leave the club at the end of this season, with Hountondji a replacement for the Senegal titan.
Il Mattino reported in January that Everton were interested in Koulibaly, and with Napoli now seeking a replacement for the defender in Hountondji, Frank Lampard’s side could suddenly have a chance to sign the centre-back this summer.
The 30-year-old French-born centre-back will be a free agent this summer should Napoli fail to strike a deal for Koulibaly, who former Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti once hailed as one of the best defenders in world football.
The Italian coach said: “He’s the best in the world in his position. In my opinion, he’s worth £130m,” yet lucky for Everton, they will not have to meet Ancelotti’s valuation for Koulibaly this summer with the defender likely to walk from Napoli for free.
Indeed, with relegation a real concern for Everton this season, Lampard’s side will have to ensure they remain in the Premier League before even attempting to make a move for Koulibaly this summer.
Everton have an outside shot of landing Napoli star Koulibaly
The Toffees remain one of the most well-known clubs in the Premier League and a team that have the potential to reach heights many pundits and fans believe they can reach, yet to sign Koulibaly from Napoli, Everton must retain their top-flight status.
With the Merseyside club in a genuine fight for relegation, Koulibaly will be out of the question if Everton do the unthinkable and drop down to the second-tier for the first time in over half a century.
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