Published 16:22 IST, November 15th 2019
Manchester United mull paying £69 million to buy Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli: Report
Manchester United received a major transfer boost with Napoli willing to sell their star defender Kalidou Koulibaly for a reported fee of £69m in January.
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Serie A giants Napoli might be forced to sell their star defender Kalidou Koulibaly for a lesser price, after the club’s recent dip in form this season, according to Italian media reports. Koulibaly is reportedly being targeted by Manchester United. According to reports, the player could be sold for £69 million instead of his previous value of £91 million.
After establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the world, the player has been suffering a lot this season, due to lack of consistent performance on an individual as well as on a collective level. This news might prove to be a major boost for United, who had tried signing the player with a £91 million offer in the previous summer. However, Napoli did not budge to United’s offer and the Old Trafford management had to turn their attention towards the signing of Harry Maguire.
Napoli is facing internal issues as well
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis had revealed to the media last month that he loved Koulibaly, so he refused a £91m offer, but a time will come when he will have to sell him. And that whoever says that Napoli did not try to improve their defence is wrong. Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently placed seventh in Serie A, 13 points behind league leaders Juventus. They have won just five of their opening 12 matches with Ancelotti likely to be sacked.
The club is also witnessing internal issues, with the club also considering suing their own players as they refused to go on a training retreat ordered by President De Laurentiis. Club fans have also been frequently protesting outside the stadium with banners and flares, demanding that the players, management and owners treat them with respect. Considering United’s bad form this season, Koulibaly would definitely be an added talent for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Therefore, it remains to be seen if United are able to rope in one of the best centre backs of the game.
15:03 IST, November 15th 2019