Everton look set to miss out on the signing of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, with the centre-back ready to sign a new contract with the club and to replace Lorenzo Insigne as captain.
According to La Repubblica via CalcioNews24, Koulibaly is to accept ‘the ultimate offer’ made by Napoli to stay with the Serie A side, which includes a contract clause to become the club’s newest captain next season.
Insigne is set to join Toronto FC in the summer following the expiration of his contract this season, and Napoli have now tempted Koulibaly into staying with the club by offering the armband to the defender along with a new contract, much to the dismay of Everton.
Il Mattino reported last week that the Toffees were interested in the ‘sensational’ Koulibaly, as well as his attacking teammate Victor Osimhen. However, this latest news from Italy has all but put a nail in Everton’s chances of signing the defender.
Defence has been a major issue for Everton this season, with the Toffees conceding more goals than 20th place Burnley and the likes of Crystal Palace and Southampton, and Frank Lampard, Koulibaly could have been a major improvement.
Indeed, the Serie A star could have been a force at the back for Everton, yet with Koulibaly set to sign a new contract with Napoli, the Toffees must now look for alternatives ahead of the summer transfer window.
Koulibaly contract update must push Everton to look at new options
Koulibaly was always going to be an audacious move for Everton, yet this contract news must now put the Merseyside club on the right track to finding a suitable centre-back in the off-season, with Lampard no doubt looking to improve on the position.
With leaking in goals an issue, defence must be improved on if the English manager is to truly rebuild Everton back into a top club, and finding the right centre-back will be key for Lampard’s long-term vision for the Toffees.
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