Another defender, Jurgen? Liverpool are ‘leading the race to sign Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly in a £42m deal with Italian giants desperate to cash in on the centre back this summer’ as the Reds also close in on £33m signing of RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate
- Napoli are reportedly willing to sell Kalidou Koulibaly for £42million this summer
- The Senegalese star has attracted attention from Europe’s top clubs for years
- Jurgen Klopp’s side are said to be leading the race for Koulibaly’s signature
- The Reds are also closing in on a deal for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate
Napoli are reportedly likely to cash in on defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer with Liverpool said to be leading the race to sign him in a €50million (£42m) deal.
The Senegalese has been one of the most sought after defenders in world football in recent years but has failed to seal a move away from the Serie A side.
But, with his contract due to expire next summer, this year’s window represents the final opportunity for Napoli to get a significant fee for him before they risk losing him for nothing.
Napoli are reportedly likely to cash in on Kalidou Koulibaly this summer and will sell for £42m
Liverpool are said to be leading the race to sign him as Jurgen Klopp’s overhauls his defence
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Koulibaly is ‘very much liked’ by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and the Reds have already made contact with Napoli over a possible switch.
Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis knows he must cash in on his prized asset this summer, especially if they miss out on a place in next season’s Champions League.
It is claimed Koulibaly will be able to leave for €50m (£42m) and €60m (£51m), which is a serious drop on the €80m (68m) fee some of Europe’s leading clubs have been quoted in the past.
Liverpool’s offer is said to be ‘the most tempting’ to Koulibaly because he will be able to form a formidable defensive partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
Klopp already has Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies as centre back options but it remains to be seen wither Kabak’s loan from Schalke will be converted into a permanent move.
The Reds do face competition from Paris Saint-German and both Manchester United and Manchester City but Liverpool are said to be ‘clearly ahead’ of their rivals.
Koulibaly has attracted attention from some of Europe’s leading clubs for several years now
Liverpool are also close to agreeing a £33million deal for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have also recently been linked with Koulibaly while Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen for a reunion with his former player.
It is claimed Napoli already have a replacement lined up in Feyenoord’s Argentine defender Marco Senesi.
It comes with Liverpool on the brink of securing a £33m deal for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate as Klopp looks to revitalise his defensive options after a nightmare season.
However, Leipzig have looked to play down Konate’s prospects of leaving with sporting director Markus Krosche insisting a switch to Anfield is ‘not an option’.
‘I think that this is not an option for Ibu,’ Krosche said. ‘He has a long contract with us and he knows what we mean to him and what he means to us.
‘He was unlucky last year as he had a long-term injury but this year he is developing well and he is an extremely important player that has a lot of potential.
‘We want to help him to develop further, and we play in Europe and have a very good team, so I don’t see a reason for him to leave us.’
