Manchester United are reportedly the frontrunners to sign Napoli’s ace defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer. The Senegal international has been linked with a move away from the Italian club for many seasons, but 2020 could be when he finally leaves Napoli.
As per Il Mattino (via Daily Star), Napoli may have to sell their top stars, one of whom could be Kalidou Koulibaly, if they do not qualify for the Europa League, as they will have to balance their sheets due to missing out on European competition. The Italian club have had a woeful season, with the club’s politics spilling out into the open. They are currently 11th in the league and could miss out on Europa League football next season.
The report states that Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are also interested in signing the central defender.
Koulibaly, who has been an integral part of the club since joining them in 2014, signed a new deal in 2018, which expires only in 2023.
Kalidou Koulibaly: Should the Red Devils buy another central defender?
Manchester United bought Harry Maguire for a world-record fee for a defender ahead of the 2019-20 season, signing the Englishman for a fee of £80 million. The 26-year-old has had a steady start to his career at Old Trafford and has also been handed the captaincy, in his very first season.
The United defence seems to be in decent shape, but signing a player of Kalidou Koulibaly’s calibre could make it even stronger. The Senegalese would cost around the same fee as Maguire – or even more. The Red Devils should not make completing another world record transfer for a central defender their priority when there are other areas of the pitch that needs serious strengthening.
Firstly, the central midfield area needs at least one – if not two players. Paul Pogba could leave the club, while Nemanja Matic’s contract also expires in the summer. This leaves them with just Fred and Scott McTominay as options. New signing Bruno Fernandes can play that role, but a goalscorer like him should play closer to goal, in the No. 10 role.
United also need a striker as the decision to play Anthony Martial as the main striker has not quite worked out. A wide player who can dribble and take on defences should also be a priority. At the moment, it’s not prudent for United to sign another central defender with such a high transfer fee and the time is ripe for the management to be shrewd in the market as it might end up being the most important transfer window in a long time for Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
