Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly is top of Everton's list as they look to bring in a top-level centre-back this summer, according to Football Insider.

Ancelotti is said to have identified the heart of the defence as an area which must be improved if his side are to break into the Champions League.

The Toffees have flirted with a top-four finish this season but recent defeats have seen them slip to eighth.

Former target of Manchester City

Koulibaly was pursued by Manchester City last summer. According to The Guardian, City saw a bid of €60m (£51.7m) rejected by Napoli before moving onto an alternative target in the form of Ruben Dias.

Ancelotti managed the Senegalese defender during his stint at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, describing him as the best defender in the world in 2019.

Koulibaly would bring real pedigree to Goodison Park. He has made 71 appearances in European competition, been included in the Serie A team of the year and earned a nomination for the FIFPro World XI two years ago.

Transfer Tavern verdict

Is this deal feasible? Koulibaly turns 30 this summer and has two years left on his contract, while Transfermarkt value him at £54m.

That would make him Everton's record signing, surpassing the £44.5m outlay for Gylfi Sigurdsson in 2017.

Would he be keen on the move? On the one hand, he could reunite with a world-class manager, and Everton are on an exciting upward trajectory. Let's not forget that they lured James Rodriguez, formerly of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, to Merseyside last summer.

However, at this fairly advanced stage of his career, perhaps Koulibaly would prefer a team who are already established in the Champions League, rather than an aspirational club such as the Toffees.

In other news, Patrick Boyland names three players who he feels would be a good fit for Everton.