Italian scout Carlo Jacomuzzi has revealed Everton wanted to sign Kim Min-jae earlier his career, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was also “evaluated”.
The two players have been shining at Napoli this season after arriving in Naples in separate deals int the summer.
Kim was signed from Fenerbahce in an €18.5m deal after a year of impressive performances in Turkey following a move from Beijing Guoan in his homeland.
He arrived as the replacement for fan favourite Kalidou Koulibaly and has comfortably filled his shoes in the months since, with a series of strong displays in the heart of Napoli’s defence that has made them quickly forget about their former star.
A tally of six goals and seven assists in 12 games in Serie A and two goals and three assists in five games in the Champions League have made him one of the darlings of Europe and earned him the nickname Kvaradona.
Both are expected to have big futures ahead of them, something Everton will be watching with a sense of regret if Jacomuzzi is to be believed.
“Napoli’s scouts were good at bringing Kim and Kvaratskhelia to Napoli at those prices,” he told Radio Crc, relayed by Calcio Napoli.
“Kim, when I was at Everton four years ago, we wanted to get him, then some problems happened in the transfer and Kvaratshkelia was also evaluated. The big deal then, Napoli made it on the figures.”
