Report: Everton leading race for £35m man Carlo Ancelotti calls a ‘great player’, club willing to sell

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Everton are reportedly frontrunners in the race to sign a midfielder previously described by Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti as a “great player”.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Everton boss has his sights set on Napoli ace Allan, the two having worked together at the Stadio San Paolo.

The 29-year-old was a key figure under Ancelotti while he was in charge at the Serie A side, and now the Toffees boss reportedly wants him at Goodison Park.

Emanuele Cammaroto wrote on Napolimagazine, as quoted by Area Napoli: “Work is being done for Allan’s transfer, with Everton in pole position.”

Newcastle United have also been linked with Allan, Area Napoli recently claiming the Magpies are willing to meet the Serie A side’s £35million asking price for the Brazil international.

Allan joined Napoli from Udinese in the summer of 2015 for a reported £10.4million fee and has clocked up 203 appearances in all competitions for the Stadio San Paolo side.

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Allan has been widely tipped to leave Napoli this summer following a disagreement with head coach Gennaro Gattuso and a player of his calibre is likely to be sought after by many clubs.

He has kept the likes of Neymar and Mohamed Salah at bay in the past, and given his future at Napoli is uncertain, he could do with a fresh start elsewhere, and where better than with a coach who rates him very highly and knows how to get the best out of him?

“For me, Allan is a great player, to say he can’t play is an understatement,” he told Casa Napoli after the 2-0 win over Hellas Verona last October.