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Napoli Put £110 Million On Manchester United Target Kalidou Koulibaly

Napoli Put £110 Million On Manchester United Target Kalidou Koulibaly

The Senegalese defender is United's number one defensive target after Real Madrid decided they don't want to sell Raphael Varane.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Manchester United will have to smash the record transfer fee for a centre back for their first choice transfer target after Napoli slapped a £110 million asking price on Kalidou Koulibaly.

Watching Manchester United against West Ham on Saturday evening there was no doubting that the hosts are still in need of world class centre back in the summer, with West Ham able to have 16 shots in the game.

Last summer Jose Mourinho was desperate to add another defender to his team but wasn't given the go ahead to try and sign anyone, with Spurs' Toby Alderweireld seemingly his first choice.

Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof have improved for the Red Devils this season but they still lack quality and depth so it's no wonder they're once again linked with a whole host of names.

United were recently put on alert with rumours that Raphael Varane was ready to leave Real Madrid but Real reportedly won't let him go for anything less than his £430 million release clause.

That means their number one target is likely to be Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and, according to the Daily Express, they will have to pay £110 million for his services with the Italian's refusing to lower the agreement in his contract.

Could Koulibaly be heading for Manchester? Image: PA Images
Could Koulibaly be heading for Manchester? Image: PA Images

Koulibaly has built a reputation as one of the best defenders in Europe in recent years for his excellent performances for Napoli.

As well as his excellent defensive and physical attributes the 27 year old is also a very good passer and has an occasional eye for goal, usually from set pieces.

However United would have to smash the record for a centre back to sign him. The current holder is Virgil van Dijk for his move from Southampton to Liverpool in January 2018 for £75 million.

Van Dijk's move has been a relative steal for Liverpool. Image: PA Images
Van Dijk's move has been a relative steal for Liverpool. Image: PA Images

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could see a big overhaul of his squad in the summer with Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata all likely to leave for free with their contracts ending.

United are likely to sign a forward and a right back as well as a centre back whilst they could also need midfielders with Herrera and Mata leaving.

Perhaps the biggest signing of their summer will be getting David de Gea to sign a new contract, with the keepers current deal ending next summer, but will he have Koulibaly in front of him next season?

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Topics: Football News, Manchester United, Transfer stories, Transfer rumours, Italian Football, Premier League, Napoli, Transfer news, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Raphael Varane, Kalidou Koulibaly