Napoli have hailed Everton’s interest in Kalidou Koulibaly as the ‘most concrete’ of two offers from Premier League clubs.
The defender emerged as a potential successor to John Stones, who is on the verge of a likely £50 million move to Manchester City.
Chelsea are also among those with an interest in Koulibaly but the Serie A club’s sporting director Giuseppe Cannella says Everton’s approach has been strongest.
“I do not think Koulibaly can have the right concentration to play in the same league as last year if he was to stay,” he told Radio CRC.
“There are two important offers from the Premier League.
“With Koulibaly and [Gonzalo] Higuain, we had to sit at the table first to discuss a renewal.
“Everton is the most concrete team of [interest in] Koulibaly.”