Liverpool poised to beat Manchester United to Kalidou Koulibaly transfer

According to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Daily Mail), Liverpool are leading Manchester United and other clubs in the transfer race for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.

Since joining Napoli in the summer of 2014, Koulibaly has gone on to establish himself as one of the top centre-backs in Europe. Naturally, the defender has been linked with a move to Manchester United number of a times in the past as well as heading into the next summer window.

Napoli, in the past, have demanded a transfer fee of €80m (£68m) for their prized asset. However, feeling the after-effects of the financial troubles brought about by the pandemic, they are willing to listen to offers of around €50m (£42m) for the Senegalese international.

In fact, Napoli are also reported to have already identified a replacement for Koulibaly in the form of Feyenoord defender Marco Senesi, opening the door for a summer exit.

This has alerted a host of clubs including the likes of PSG, Manchester City, Real Madrid, along with Manchester United and Liverpool. However, it is being claimed that the Merseysiders may have the edge in pursuit of Koulibaly.

This is because the 29-year-old defender finds Liverpool’s offer the most appealing as he would be paired alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Reds’ defence.

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This development is likely to come as a blow for Manchester United, who are in the market for a top-class centre-back to partner captain Harry Maguire. At 29, Koulibaly is in his prime years and has years of experience at the highest level, which would have made him a fine addition.

But, it seems like Liverpool have the upper-hand in the race to sign the centre-back ahead of the summer transfer window.