Everton have been told that their recent transfer target will not be joining and is good enough to side with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, according to his agent.
The Blues have been chasing Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who nearly left the Partenopei during the summer and was linked with a switch to Goodison Park this season.
The former Genk player has become a key part of Maurizio Sarri’s side, and the Senegalese international’s agent still insists that his client won’t join the Premier League any time soon.
Bruno Satin insisted in an interview with Radio Crc:
Could he move to Everton? No, Kalidou will not leave Napoli,
His contract has a long way to go, and it’s only at the end of the season, if Napoli receive offers they want to consider that we’ll talk.
Roberto Martinez is aiming to improve the quality of his team’s defending by bolstering the backline, with Argentine centre-half Ramiro Funes Mori brought in at the beginning of the campaign.
Satin doesn’t know if Napoli wish ‘to put faith in Koulibaly long-term’ but sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli says that he is happy with the work Koulibaly’s doing.
When you want to put your faith in a player, you also tie them down with a contract adjustment.
Giuntoli and I had a chat, but we haven’t dealt with the subject of a renewal yet.
We want to keep the lad concentrated, because he’s going through a good period.
What is certain is that if he continues to do well, then the offers will come, because Koulibaly is young and plays in one of the most sought-after positions in Europe.
Before arriving at Napoli, we spoke to Barcelona, and they said he wasn’t ready. But at this level, Koulibaly could also be of interest to a club like Barça, he’s grown a lot.
It’s believed that Everton will continue to pursue the promising defender but Napoli still seem reluctant to let him go.
