According to latest reports in Italy, Premier League giants Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all set to battle it out for the services of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.
The 26-year-old has been Serie A’s most consistent defender in the past few years and is highly regarded as one of the best defenders in European football at the moment. However, his exceptional performances in the Italian top flight have also attracted the interest of several top clubs around Europe, including the Premier League heavyweights.
Therefore, Napoli might be willing to cash in on the Senegalese international this summer, having already rejected Chelsea’s £60million bid earlier this season.
Liverpool could be one of the possible destinations for the 26-year-old, who has been a real rock at the back for Napoli over the years. Even though the Reds have been one of the most impressive teams in England this season, their defensive woes have often been the reason behind their downfall or inconsistency, especially under Jurgen Klopp.
But that being said, however, Liverpool have shown a lot of intent in the transfer market, over the last 12 months or so, having already snapped a £70m move for highly-rated Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk. The Dutchman has been an ever-present figure in the Liverpool backline since but with the lack of a good partner, alongside, Van Dijk might find it difficult to impress at Anfield, especially in the future and that’s where Koulibaly comes into the fray.
The Senegalese defender, largely known for his sheer physical presence in the defensive department can be an excellent signing for the Reds.
What’s particularly intriguing, however, is the fact that the combination of Virgil Van Dijk and Kalidou Koulibaly is absolutely perfect! While Van Dijk can use his technical prowess and laser pass to help Liverpool in their build-up play, Koulibaly’s more robust game-play will definitely solidify Liverpool’s sloppy defence.
In addition, the Napoli defender is also very good himself, when it comes to his ball-playing qualities in the defensive half. The 26-year-old has developed into a pass-master during his time at Napoli, largely thanks to Maurizio Sarri’s unique gameplay, which focuses on quick-passing build-up play from the back, ultimately improving the passing efficiency of Kalidou Koulibaly.
Therefore, the Senegalese international is perfect for Liverpool in every aspect of the game. Following an impressive season, the Reds will be desperate to make a strong case for the title next season and the addition of Kalidou Koulibaly can definitely be a step in the right direction.
