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Serie A defender set to renew deal after Everton tell they have no funds to accelerate the deal

By Parth Jhaveri

Everton's Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti watches his players from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on July 6, 2020. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti watches his players from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on July 6, 2020. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Everton target Nikola Maksimovic is set to renew his contract with Napoli.

Back in August, news emerged that Everton is one of the frontrunners in the race to sign Nikola Maksimovic. The Napoli man is in the last year of his contract and so far has failed to agree on an extension. Gli Azzurri president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has refused to meet the €2.8 million a year wage demand which caused the talks of an extension hit a dead end.

Maksimovic is a highly admired centre back by Carlo Ancelotti and the Royal Blues were seriously considering a move for the Serbian. Given that he was in the final year of his contract, the 28 year old would be available for a reasonable price. However, Napoli slapped a price tag of €20 million.

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Il Napolista reported that after examining the offers Nikola Maksimovic had, he may agree to a new deal with slightly better terms than what Napoli were offering. Now, according to Rai Sport journalist Ciro Venerato (via CalcioNapoli24) claims that Nikola Maksimovic is set to continue his adventure in Naples and has shown positive signs of an agreement to a new deal. His demand of €2.8 million a year is in consideration and a compromise may soon be reached.

The report added that Eintracht Frankfurt, Benfica and Newcastle United remain keen. Everton was once the frontrunner but is now almost out of the race because they have no funds to accelerate the deal.

The Royal Blues have already signed 3 players worth €70 million in form of Allan, James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucoure. Even though the narrative suggests that the Toffees are open to more arrivals, unwanted players and benchwarmers need to be sold first to generate funds and make space in the team.

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As for Nikola Maksimovic, his contract talks have rumbled on for weeks now. He has gone on from searching a new club to coming extremely close to agreeing to an extension. Perhaps, the exit talks of Kalidou Koulibaly have given the Serbian hopes of getting more game time next season.

Napoli are expecting offers from Manchester powerhouses for the Senegal international and an agreement for a transfer is expected before the end of the window. Everton may have to find centre back options to bolster the defence as Mason Holgate’s injury leaves Michael Keane and Yerry Mina as the only experienced senior centre backs.

Jarrad Branthwaite isn’t expected to play week in week out leaving only 2 senior centre backs until Holgate’s recovery. Keane and Mina both are heavily unreliable when it comes fitness as both are injury prone and another injury to one of them will push Everton into deep waters.

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So instead of signing a right back, Marcel Brands must make Centre back a top priority.

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