Earlier this week, HITC suggested that Everton could look to sign Lazio centre-back Stefan de Vrij this summer.

However, reports on Friday in Gazzetta dello Sport say that the Dutchman – who is said to be refusing to extend his deal that runs out in 2018 – could choose to stay in Serie A and move to Inter Milan instead.

Having worked with de Vrij before during the duo’s time together at Feyenoord, Koeman knows the defender well and his stats from the current Serie A season suggest that Toffees boss Ronald Koeman should go all out to bring the 25-year-old to Goodison Park this summer.

And he has good reason to.

With Phil Jagielka perhaps on his way out of Goodison Park this summer and Ashley Williams 32 years of age, Koeman needs one, or possibly two centre-backs this summer.

His stats during the current season for the Serie A giants are impressive and will mean that he will be in-demand should he choose to leave the Italian capital this summer.

But if Everton want to compete with the big clubs now, they have to show that ambition in the transfer market in order to attract players such like De Vrij.

In 21 appearances in Serie A this term, the 25-year-old has made 90 clearances and 51 interceptions, while he has also shown how strong he is in the air by winning 36 aerial duels.

The Dutch defender can tackle too – he has made 34 successful challenges – but it is ability on the ball that will have perhaps impressed Koeman the most.

De Vrij has completed seven out of seven take-ons and has a passing accuracy of 85%, which suggest he could also finally be the long-term replacement for John Stones.

Everton need a top class new centre-back this summer and if Koeman can use his relationship with the player, and the club can offer him a suitable financial deal, he could just make an eye-catching move to Merseyside.