Juventus have admitted their interest in Lazio winger Keita Balde Diao – but Everton are hoping to make a huge statement by signing the Serie A wonderkid.
Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is yet to make his mar
The wait for the first marquee signing of the Farhad Moshiri goes on at Goodison Park.
Everton’s club transfer record appeared to be under major threat last summer with reports linking them with big-money moves for Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Sissoko, Axel Witsel and co but, by the end of the window, the club were left frustrated.
However, according to Tuttomercatoweb, The Toffees are now hoping to seal a deal which would make the Premier League sit up and take notice.
Lazio’s Keita Balde Diao enjoyed the best season of his career
The report claims that Everton have identified Lazio speed machine Keita Balde Diao the man to replace the goals of wantaway talisman Romelu Lukaku this summer – and with good reason.
The 22-year-old was truly outstanding in 2016/17, his career best tally of 16 Serie A goals inspiring Lazio to an impressive fifth placed finish in the Italian top flight – ahead of both Milan and big-spending Inter.
Inevitably, the one-time Barcelona prospect, who moved to Lazio in 2011 amid concerns about his attitude, has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs on the continent.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as the Milan giants, have been heavily linked in recent months. Furthermore, just to make a deal any more complicated, Juventus general director Beppe Marotta recently admitted that the Serie A champions were monitoring Keita’s situation with just a year remaining on his contract at the Stadio Olimpico, Goal reports.
Marotta (L) likened Keita to Paolo Dybala
Nonetheless, that does not mean Keita will be sold on the cheap. Tuttomercatoweb report that Lazio will not consider offers less than £26 million for their prized asset.
And just imagine the reaction if Everton beat the Champions League finalists to a deal for one of the continent’s most exciting young attackers.
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