Report: Everton in hunt for Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic but face AC Milan and Roma competition

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According to Calciomercato, Everton is in the hunt to sign Napoli defender, Nikola Maksimovic, although they face hefty competition from the likes of AC Milan and Roma.

The Toffees are on the hunt for new recruits this summer to strengthen the ranks after a disappointing Premier League campaign, on the whole, saw them finish 12th.

But Carlo Ancelotti is keen to address such issues and despite the impressive form of Mason Holgate and Michael Keane at times, he is thought to be seeking defensive reinforcements.

Maksimovic, then, who is a Serbia international with 24 caps, could well fill the void for the Italian boss.

However, Ancelotti faces a battle to land the 28-year-old, who also has Roma and AC Milan courting him. Napoli, of course, won’t want to lose a player who played 22 times last term, especially with the future of Kalidou Koulibaly up in the air.

The report states Napoli value Maksimovic around £17.5m (20m Euros). Everton, then, will need to cough up some cash if they do wish to land the powerful Serbian.

 Everton needs a quality centre-back, could it be Maksimovic? – TBR View

There’s every chance it might well be if Ancelotti gets his way.

He does have options in Keane, Holgate, and Yerry Mina, but it’s obvious that the Everton boss is not too happy with those three and their inconsistencies at times.

Maksimovic could well provide the answer. At 28, he should be in his prime years and be capable of adapting to the English game, with the physical side of things, not a problem.

One thing is for sure and that’s that the current Everton defenders will be looking over their shoulders this summer.