MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a blow after Napoli were said to have agreed terms with Gabriel Magalhaes – with Kalidou Koulibaly now set to quit.
A host of Premier League clubs – including Arsenal and Tottenham – were interested in the £22million-rated Lille centre-back.
Napoli are said to have agreed personal terms with Gabriel MagalhaesCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
Napoli’s move for Magalhaes could mean Kalidou Koulibaly is on his way outCredit: Reuters
His brother and sister even started following the Gunners on Instagram.
But Napoli appear to have won the race for Magalhaes, according to Manchester Evening News.
While missing out on Magalhaes will sting, Premier League clubs will be thrilled at the prospect of Koulibaly leaving.
Napoli are all-but resigned to losing their star defender after years of fending off interest from the likes of Man Utd.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are amongst those chasing the Senegal star, 29, this summer, too.
But rivals Manchester City and Liverpool are also hot on the trail of Koulibaly.
Napoli were initially holding out for a staggering £90m for their prized asset.
However, reports in Italy recently claimed the Serie A side would be willing to settle for around £70m.
After a host of enquiries around the £55m mark this summer, Koulibaly recently hinted he may not only stay in Naples, but also finish his career there.
Koulibaly revealed: “I never spoke to Napoli about leaving.
“If we have to find a solution, we will find it, but I have never talked about the transfer market.
Koulibaly recently hinted he could stay at Napoli for the rest of his careerCredit: Reuters
“I also read in the newspapers about my future – but I only want to think about playing.
“I am 100 per cent [committed to] Napoli and it bothers me to be linked, every day, to this or that European club.
“We will see what the president will decide and if they propose to extend my contract, that would allow me to end my career here.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
