Report: Wolves and Everton eye Ligue 1 defender, AC Milan in talks

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Italian website TuttoMercatoWeb have claimed that AC Milan are in talks to sign Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan, but Premier League duo Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers have entered the chase for the highly-rated Frenchman.

Simakan, 20, has broken into Strasbourg’s side over the past couple of season and despite his tender age, he already has 41 first-team outings for his boyhood club. Versatile – Simakan is naturally a centre-back, but he has played on the right and in midfield.

Milan have long been linked with Simakan and a move to the Rossoneri is likely. But the latest reports claim that both Wolves and Everton are interested in signing Simakan – who is rated between £13.5million and £18million.

It remains to be seen if a move will materialise for Simakan in the January window, but certainly, the defender is thought of highly and will have suitors over the course of the next few weeks. His current contract runs until the summer of 2023.

TBR’s view – Which team needs a centre-back more?

Everton have four first-team centre-backs – but they are all playing at the moment. Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate are being used as makeshift full-backs, while Yerry Mina and Michael Keane remain in the middle of the defence.

Cover is required, if Everton are to stick with that system. But Wolves could also do with defenders, though the breakthrough talent of Max Kilman has helped Nuno Espirito Santo’s side cope with a lack of options in the middle of the defence.

Everton could probably do with Simakan more, but both teams need a central defender.