Sources: Everton plot raid to sign Mohammed Salisu
Everton have a strong interest in signing Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Toffees are in the market for a left-sided central defender and have shortlisted Salisu as a top candidate.
The 24-year-old defender is out of contract with the Saints in 2024, and the Southampton hierarchy could be forced to sell him for a slashed price to avoid losing him for free.
Southampton understand that they are vulnerable to losing Salisu this summer even if they complete a miraculous Premier League escape in the remaining weeks of the season.
Everton could face competition for the Ghana international in the summer, with fellow relegation candidates Leicester City also keeping tabs on him.
The Toffees are weighing up a move for Salisu this summer and believe that a £20million offer could be enough to seal a deal.
Salisu has been a bright performer for the Saints in an otherwise bleak season – he has played a total of 2,440 minutes for Southampton across 28 appearances in 2022/23, registering one assist in the process.
He only missed one league fixture before the start of February, but a recurring hip injury has ruled him out of action in previous weeks, with his last cameo coming in the 3-3 draw with Tottenham on 18 March.
Southampton manager Ruben Selles faced questions over Salisu’s attitude within the club, but the Saints boss insisted that his absence is solely down to injury.
“He’s an injured player. We cannot have an issue with the attitude if he is injured, so we talk about the players that are available,” Selles said.
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