Everton Determined to Retain International Amid Euro Club’s Summer Interest – Report
Napoli Inquire About Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko, Reports Area Napoli
The Italian outlet reported on its website on Tuesday (16 July) that the Serie A giants have already held talks with the Toffees over the Ukrainian international as they search for a new left-back.
Sean Dyche’s side is keen to keep the 25-year-old at Goodison Park this summer, but Antonio Conte’s side admires the defender and has remained updated on his situation on Merseyside.
Conte was eager to secure Mykolenko’s signature during his time as Inter Milan manager, while Napoli’s chief scout Maurizio Micheli had recommended the Toffees star to former director of football Cristiano Giuntoli.
Are Everton and Sean Dyche close to any new transfers in the summer transfer window?
Everton cannot afford to lose Mykolenko this summer.
While the defender has not always been the most popular figure at Goodison Park, he showed immense signs of improvement last season and has become a very reliable presence at the back under Dyche.
His work rate both with and without the ball is exceptional, and he never knows when he’s beaten. If he can cut out the injuries that have plagued him in the past, he can be one of the division’s better fullbacks.
Unless Napoli is willing to pay anywhere near the sort of fee the Toffees originally paid for his services, Everton shouldn’t even be considering an offer, especially having already balanced the books with some major outgoings this summer.
Hopefully, the Blues’ stance of wanting to keep Mykolenko will remain the same throughout the transfer window. Ashley Young is the only real alternative left-back option in the squad, and his best days are already behind him.
It will be interesting to see whether the European giants act on their interest and submit a genuine transfer offer for the international defender this summer. Even if they do, it would be a surprise to see Everton agree to let him leave.
