Everton Interested in Valencia Defender?

Everton are reported to be interested in Valencia’s Aymen Abdennour as a possible replacement for John Stones. If true, this is likely a plan B in case the Toffees’ bid for Lamine Kone of Sunderland fails to materialize; which is a possibility considering that David Moyes has offered him a new contract, but only if he stays past the transfer deadline of September 1st.

Abdennour, 27, joined the Spanish club last August from Monaco for a reported fee of £18.8m, and picked up 29 appearances in all competitions. The Tunisian defender was brought in as a replacement for Nicolás Otamendi after his move to Manchester City. Abdennour is under contract until 2020, giving his club an upper-hand in negotiations with interested suitors.

Though Valencia seem to have given up on the player, they also want to make some cash for their troubles. Everton’s bid is around £15.5m but the Spaniards are said to be holding out for a fee of £19m.

At the moment, sources are scarce but David Cartlidge of beIN Sports Spain has put out a few tweets on the matter:

If that last one can be believed, talks may have reached an advanced stage. If so, we have to wonder how long Abdennour has been on Everton’s radar and how this was kept so quiet.