Everton and Chelsea have made movements in their pursuit of Hellas Verona defender Marash Kumbulla, according to Corriere dello Sport (as translated by Sport Witness).
CalcioMercato reported earlier this week that Chelsea had joined Everton and Liverpool in pursuing the Albania international and this report seemingly backs that information up.
It was reported by Gazzetta dello Sport in January that the Toffees were interested in signing the young defender, while TuttoNapoli recently claimed that the Reds also have their sights set on the 20-year old.
However, Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) now claim that Chelsea and Everton have both moved to the front of the queue, with both clubs having come forward to discover the player’s transfer situation.
Read Everton Verdict
Everton are certainly in need of a centre-back in the summer, having just Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate as options as things stand. Everton’s decision to get the low down on Kumbulla’s situation could suggest that he is a legitimate target being considered by Carlo Ancelotti.
Transfermarkt currently value Kumbulla at £9million, although Corriere dello Sport’s report claims that it will cost around €30million to land Kumbulla, and that is a fee that that the Blues will likely have to spend, having splashed similar amounts on summer recruits in multiple transfer windows now.
However, there is also the danger that following a strong end to the season and with interest heating up, Verona could always spike the price up, which could essentially take Everton out of the running, with financial fair play looming.
