LIVERPOOL are reportedly in “pole position” to sign Kalidou Koulibaly and form an impenetrable defence with Virgil van Dijk in a transfer blow to Manchester United.
The Reds are poised to hijack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long standing plans to partner the Senegal ace alongside Harry Maguire at centre-half.
Kalidou Koulibaly could be set for a move to Liverpool this summer
According to Le10sport, sources close to Koulibaly are “optimistic” that the Napoli defender will be making a switch to the Reds in the summer.
The move would see him partner Van Dijk – who the Reds paid a then world record £75m for in 2018 – in one of the most formidable centre-back pairings ever seen.
The European champions are said to be offering Dejan Lovren as part of the package to sign Koulibaly, giving them the advantage over their rivals.
Before the coronavirus crisis the Senegal ace was on the market for £100million and Napoli are said to be refusing to accept offers of less than £90million for the 28-year-old.
It comes after they were forced to drop their initial price tag by £20m, but will budge no further.
The former Genk star has evolved into one of the best defenders in the world since his 2014 move to the San Paolo from Belgium – making 233 appearances for the Neapolitans.
He is believed to have told the Italian club’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis that he wants to leave in the summer.
Solskjaer’s side have persistently been linked with the 28-year-old in recent seasons without success and have been in constant contact with the Serie A side over the future of Koulibaly.
United are desperate to land another centre-back, despite having splashed out £85million Harry Maguire from Leicester City last summer.
Phil Jones is expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer, while Chris Smalling could make his loan spell at Roma permanent – should United sign Koulibaly.
And Newcastle – who are on the verge of a £300m Saudi buyout – have fixed their gazes firmly on Koulibaly as a summer target with the Toon’s wealthy new backers set to pour cash into transfer deals straight away.
French giants PSG were also keen but the Senegal star now appears to have snubbed a potential switch to Parc Des Princes.
English sides received a huge boost when the Napoli defender revealed he is “more convinced” by a move to the Premier League.
Kalidou Koulibaly receives a warm welcome as he returns to the neighbourhood where he grew up
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
