Manchester United have reportedly identified Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly as their top target ahead of the summer transfer window with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eager to overhaul his squad at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils managed just two wins from their last 12 matches of the season and their 2-0 defeat at home to relegated Cardiff on Sunday once again raised serious questions about the quality and attitude of the players at Solskjaer’s disposal.
Ander Herrera is set to join PSG on a free transfer after playing his last match for United at the weekend and Pogba’s future remains in doubt meaning the club may have to dig deep into their pockets for reinforcements in midfield.
However, according to The Daily Mirror, United are prioritising a move for a top-class centre-back with Solskjaer said to be ‘desperate’ for a ‘defensive leader’ in the mold of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool broke the world transfer record for a defender when they landed Van Dijk from Southampton for a fee of £75million in January 2018 and United are prepared to smash it again in order to sign Koulibaly.
The club are also on the hunt for a right back to replace Antonio Valencia, as well as new recruits in central midfield and attack.
Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti has consistently ruled out the sale of Koulibaly in recent weeks as speculation intensifies surrounding the Senegalese’s future.
‘The best centre back in the world? I would say so,’ Ancelotti said at the weekend.
‘And he can still improve. He is worth €150m and he is not available for transfer.
‘Koulibaly’s contract expires in 2023, in 2021 there’s a €150m clause but Napoli do not need to sell, the president [Aurelio De Laurentiis] does not want to sell and the question doesn’t come up.’
Koulibaly, who was also on Jose Mourinho’s wishlist before the Portuguese was sacked by United, has insisted he’s fully focused on Napoli.
‘The future? I am a Napoli player and I will give one hundred percent to win something with this shirt,’ he said last month.
‘The market is full of talk.
‘I prefer facts, which then help us win and become great together.’
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