After Denzel Dumfries, Everton and Inter to battle again for €30 million talisman

Everton and Inter Milan were in the race to sign Denzel Dumfries but to Everton’s discontent, the Nerazzurri have managed to acquire Dumfries’ services. The Toffees and Inter also have another common transfer target in Joaquin Correa, where it appears that Inter are again ahead of the Merseysiders. Now, for the third time this summer, Inter and Everton have been linked with the same player, this time Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne.

Inter Milan sold Romelu Lukaku for €115 million and are now in search of his replacement. They have already closed down on Edin Dzeko from AS Roma and are searching for another attacker; hence the links to Correa and Insigne keep on surfacing.

Everton, on the other hand, are facing problems due to Financial Fair Play regulations, meaning the club will have to offload players first in order to make any big signings. The future of Moise Kean is uncertain and he could leave before the end of the transfer window. Rafa Benitez wants to add another attacker to the ranks.

Insigne has had a talismanic presence in Napoli and is one of the best players in Serie A. The Napoli captain’s contract expires next summer and now there’s a real possibility of him leaving the club.

Everton and Inter Milan linked with Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne

According to Calciomercato, Insigne has confessed to his teammates that there is a possibility that he could leave Napoli. From Italy, there’s interest from Inter Milan, whereas from abroad, Everton and Zenit St. Petersburg are keen.

Another report from Italian journalist Ciro Venerato also stated Everton’s desire to sign Insigne. However, the journalist is not too optimistic that the Toffees will end up signing the 30 year old.

"I give you news that arrived a few minutes ago. There is another team that has fallen on Lorenzo Insigne over Inter: it is Everton of Rafa Benitez. The English club is interested in the player, but I don’t think the player can join Everton.  If Lorenzo Insigne were to leave, Napoli would not buy any substitutes. (via Il Napoli)"

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Practically, Venerato’s theory does hold some weight. Insigne is one of best players in the Serie A and at 30, he isn’t getting any younger or doesn’t have too many chances left to play in Europe. The Toffees cannot offer him Champions League or Europa League football whereas his other suitors, Inter Milan can. In fact, the Nerazzurri could even be contenders of winning the Scudetto again. Sadly, Everton are not in a position to challenge for the Premier League title.

The only upside for Insigne will be he can reunite with Rafa Benitez under whom the Italian played 79 games, scoring 11 goals and providing 17 assists. But the disadvantages overshadow the advantages.

Perhaps, Inter are now in a superior position to offer a better monetary package as well. As per another report from Sempre Inter, the Nerazzurri are ready to offer €6 million per season and a €7 million signing bonus if the forward joins next summer on a free transfer.

However, a transfer this summer is not ruled out too. Napoli will ask for €30 million which is well within Inter’s budget and lower than the asking prices of other targets like Correa and Duvan Zapata.

The Serie A champions could also offer a player plus cash deal which Napoli are likely to accept if the player on the table is Matias Vecino. As for Everton, pulling off this move seems a bit farfetched. It simply just doesn’t add up. So, even if Benitez likes Insigne’s profile, the Royal Blues may not be able to fulfill the Spanish coach’s wishes.

Can Everton manage to sign Lorenzo Insigne?