“The only negative…”

2 minute read

16/7/2021 | 07:10pm

Michael Ball believes Everton target Kalidou Koulibaly may be priced out of a move away from Napoli due to his price tag.

The Toffees have held an interest in the central defender for some time and reportedly saw a bid rejected by the Serie A side earlier this week.

Rafa Benitez managed the 30-year-old during his stint in charge of Napoli but it appears Everton would need to blow the vast majority of their transfer budget to get their man as the Italian side value Koulibaly at €60million.

Should Everton meet Kalidou Koulibaly’s price tag?

Yes

No

Everton are not the only Premier League side looking to sign the Senegal international, with Manchester United also keeping tabs on the situation and Chelsea mulling over whether to make a move.

Koulibaly, who was on the market for £100million just a few years ago, made 37 appearances for Napoli last season.

But former Everton left-back Ball has urged the Toffees not to meet his current employers’ price tag.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “The only negative is his price. He’s 30, which is not old for a centre-half, but with the money involved there is always a question mark over whether it could be a waste of money. Two or three years later, Everton would lose a lot of money if they wanted to move him on.

What year did Everton wear this home strip?

“Koulibaly hasn’t got that Premier League experience but he’s played against world class strikers for the majority of his career, so it’s a balancing act between the board and Rafa.

“There is always a big question mark over transfer fees nowadays and the amounts that get raised are quite shocking at times.”

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