Everton is in pole position to sign Napoli centre back Nikola Maksimovic.
Everton is said to be in the race to sign Napoli centre back Nikola Maksimovic. In fact, the Toffees are considered in pole position to sign the Serbian from the Serie A side. The 28 year old has entered the final year of his contract and is willing to sort his future elsewhere in search of playing time.
Here we are again with another transfer rumour. If there is a team other than Everton who have seen hundreds of transfer rumours linking to them it is Napoli. Napoli have been linked with a player exit and the takers are the Toffees. Nikola Maksimovic is the player we are discussing as he has emerged as a transfer target for the Royal Blues.
According to Inside Futbol (via Rai Sport’s Ciro Venerato on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli), the Toffees are the favourites to seal the signature of Nikola Maksimovic from Napoli. The centre back is highly admired by Carlo Ancelotti and is another star that he is willing to reunite with.
Serie A sides Roma and Fiorentina are also interested but it appears Ancelotti’s side have an edge over them. The Serb hasn’t been a regular under Gennaro Gattuso featuring in only 18 games and with just one year left on his current deal, Maksimovic is considering new pastures.
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This news comes soon after the report of a Gabriel bid being rejected by Lille because of a ‘gentlemen agreement’ between Gabriel Magalhaes and Napoli. Gli Azzuri are the frontrunners in Gabriel chase ready to offer €25 million to Lille. However, here’s the catch, Napoli will first have to sell Manchester City linked Kalidou Koulibaly and only then they can proceed to sign the Brazilian centre back.
LOSC had to reject a €20 million offer from the Toffees and if Gabriel Magalhaes to Napoli does go through, Marcel Brands may have to settle for Nikola Maksimovic. Of course, this just sounds like another crazy rumour but if thought carefully, one event will succeed another, making it a domino effect. Koulibaly is sold, Gabriel Magalhaes is signed by Napoli and since the Toffees miss out on the Brazilian, they strike a deal with Napoli for Nikola Maksimovic.
Perhaps if the football gods are gracious upon the Everton fans, the club will get hold of Gabriel and no other alternative but if that isn’t the case Nikola Maksimovic is a sizeable option.