---
title: "Everton: Toffees urged to pursue Kalidou Koulibaly"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-toffees-urged-to-pursue-kalidou-koulibaly/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Everton"
published: "2021-07-20T06:35:41Z"
modified: "2021-07-20T06:35:41Z"
---

# Everton: Toffees urged to pursue Kalidou Koulibaly

**Reported Everton transfer target Kalidou Koulibaly would be an ‘invaluable’ asset to the Toffees, according to Noel Whelan.**

The former Leeds United, Coventry City and Middlesbrough striker was speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/everton-backed-to-land-brilliant-koulibaly-after-intriguing-romano-reveal/) amid [claims](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlv9j_mZnlo) from Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano that a move to Merseyside ‘is a possibility’ for the 30-year-old.

### The lowdown

[90Min](https://www.90min.com/posts/everton-transfer-news-kalidou-koulibaly-target) reported earlier in July that Rafael Benitez had identified the Senegal international as his primary centre-back target. Indeed, the Spaniard was in charge at the Serie A club when Koulibaly joined back in 2014.

Napoli have apparently slashed their asking price to £35m, having once demanded a fee in the region of £100m for the defender (via [90Min](https://www.90min.com/posts/everton-transfer-news-kalidou-koulibaly-target)).

Koulibaly is a two-time Senegalese Footballer of the Year (via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalidou-koulibaly/erfolge/spieler/93128)) and was also named the Serie A Defender of the Year in 2018/19 (via [Football Italia](https://www.football-italia.net/138193/ronaldo-mvp-serie-awards)).

### The latest

Whelan reckons that Koulibaly’s age may actually be a positive rather than a concern and urged the Toffees to make a move for him.

Any deal could be the joint-second-most expensive in the club’s history behind their £44.5m swoop for Gylfi Sigurdsson (via [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-everton/transferrekorde/verein/29)).

Whelan told [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/everton-backed-to-land-brilliant-koulibaly-after-intriguing-romano-reveal/): “Yes, he is 30 but there is still life in the old dog yet. He would bring so much experience to that backline and the younger players could learn a lot from him. It would be invaluable.

“If they could get that deal done, wow, that would be brilliant addition to their side. He would bring so much.”

### The verdict

Everton may instinctively hesitate to commit so much money to signing a player who may theoretically be nearing the end of his peak years.

However, Koulibaly doesn’t have any particularly serious injuries on [his record](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalidou-koulibaly/verletzungen/spieler/93128), which suggests that he will be able to cope with the demands of Premier League football for a good few years yet, while he can provide the calming experience of [417](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalidou-koulibaly/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/93128) career club appearances.

Also, as Whelan suggests, bringing in a player of his [Champions League-operating](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalidou-koulibaly/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/93128) calibre could elevate Everton’s entire backline. There could be a certain aura surrounding him – daunting for attackers but reassuring for his team-mates.

**In other news, [many Everton fans were fuming over this image](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/everton-fans-react-to-moise-keans-instagram-activity/).**