French defender Djibril Sidibe is open to the prospect of signing a permanent contract with Everton at the end of the campaign. The right-back joined the Toffees on a season-long loan from AS Monaco over the summer and over the past month, he has been able to cement a regular role ahead of Seamus Coleman.
Speaking to reporters, the World Cup winner stated that there was interest from a Spanish club during the summer but he instead decided to join the Toffees after a personal chat with manager Marco Silva. He added that he is enjoying his time with the Merseyside outfit and a decision over a permanent deal will be made at the end of the season.
“A Spanish club had expressed to me its interest, concrete. I had contact with clubs that were not the biggest in Spain, except Atletico (Madrid). But I had Everton’s coach on the phone, with which everything went well. The feeling was good, it was very important. I was loaned with an option to buy but I will have my say at the time of the negotiations. My goal this season is to play, to reconnect with the great club performances. The following will depend on several factors. We will then have time to sit around a table to find out what is best for the club and for me,” he told.
Sidibe started the season as a regular on the bench with Coleman preferred for the right-back role. However, he was handed with the chance to make the starting XI after a suspension for Coleman in October and he has since cemented his spot ahead of the Republic of Ireland international. Sidibe has started the club’s past four league games and overall, he has made seven appearances for the Toffees across all competitions. He is expected to start in the weekend’s Premier League clashwhere the Toffees entertain bottom-placed Norwich City at Goodison Park.