Everton have been priced out of a move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly according to the newest reports emanating from the media in Italy. It was revealed that the Senegalese international centre back is a transfer target for new manager Rafael Benitez.

Koulibaly was an Everton target while Carlo Ancelotti was the manager before he left for Real Madrid this summer and his successor Benitez has told the club to retain the player on the transfer list according to English publication Team Talk. It was revealed that Napoli want big money for Koulibaly and that the Toffees have not been able to meet up the fee demanded by the Italian Serie A club.

Spanish tactician Benitez is not a stranger to Senegalese player Koulibaly whom he coached while he was the Napoli manager. Benitez was the Napoli manager when Kalidou Koulibaly signed for the Italian Serie A side from Gent in the Belgian league over seven years ago.

Everton were said to have made a €35m bid to sign Koulibaly on Wednesday but it was turned down by Napoli who are holding out for €60m for their prized asset.

Senegal defender Koulibaly is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in Europe and he has previously been linked with the biggest teams on the continent.

The signing of a centre back is a priority for Benitez and Everton this summer. To this effect, Italian publication Calciomercatorevealed that the Toffees have identified an alternative to Koulibaly and he also plays his club football in the Italian Serie A. It was stated that Everton officials see Juventus defender MerihDemiral as an alternative if they can’t sign Koulibaly.

Demiral has been on the Everton radar for months and the club is prepared to step up their interest in him since he represents a cheaper centre back option in comparison to Koulibaly.