Everton are reportedly planning to join Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.
The Senegal international is likely to be on his way out of the Stadio San Paolo following a rumoured breakdown in contract talks with the Partenopei.
Chelsea were widely considered to be the frontrunners to sign Koulibaly, who has also been tipped with joining Arsenal and Manchester United in the past, but Everton could now be ready to pounce.
According to Italian website calciomercato.it, Everton are willing to bid £36.4m for the highly-rated centre-back - significantly more than the sum apparently offered by Chelsea.
It is claimed that a meeting has now been set up by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis for next week, when it is hoped that a deal can be finalised.
Koulibaly made 42 appearances for the Serie A outfit last season in all competitions.
Daniel Lewis
