According to Corriere dello Sport, Napoli have tabled a bid worth £19.5million to Lazio in order to beat Juventus to the signing of striker and Everton target Keita Balde Diao.
Following a brilliant campaign which saw him net 16 goals in 21 Serie A starts, the 22-year-old Barcelona academy graduate has seen his stock rise, and Lazio believe he’s worth at least £27million.
Everton have kept tabs on the Senegalese forward for a while now, and with boss Ronald Koeman keen on wrapping up transfer business this week, it’s thought Keita could be pursued if Arsenal don’t listen to offers for Olivier Giroud.
Keita also had Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea monitoring him, but it doesn’t appear the trio will make a move considering they have all signed new strikers.
While this is good news for the Toffees, they have to fork out Lazio’s asking price to have a chance.
Though Keita still has a lot of work to do as regarding his defensive contribution, his quality finishing and pace stand his game out.
While the Senegalese is far from the finished product, if signed however, the Merseysiders can get good value for their investment in the end if he hits his peak at Goodison Park.
With a very demanding manager like Koeman, and a striking legend like Wayne Rooney around him, not many can bet against Balde Keita becoming the next Romelu Lukaku.
