Varun Pai
Transfer News: Manchester United interest in Kalidou Koulibaly revealed
Speaking to ‘Ne Parliamo Il Martedi’ from Canale 8 via Napoli Magazine (h/t Sport Witness), Corriere Dello Sport journalist Antonio Giordano revealed that Manchester United were interested in a move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.
The Red Devils, who made the astute signing of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid this summer, did not have the Frenchman on their priority list initially. There were specific targets for the Old Trafford outfit, and among them was Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Senegalese defender has been a rock for the Napoli defence for several years now and has managed 286 appearances for the Italian club to date. United were looking to add to their centre-back options and also made an offer worth €35million for the Serie A centre-back.
However, this deal was never going to go through as the Naples-based club were said to be demanding at least €50million for their prized asset.
This was recalled by Corriere Dello Sport journalist Antonio Giordano while speaking live to Ne Parliamo Il Martedi from Canale 8 via Napoli Magazine. He said (h/t Sport Witness):
“De Laurentiis had the strength to refuse all the offers that arrived for the big names, in particular for Koulibaly. Manchester United were ready to offer €35m, but the boss made it known that for that amount Kalidou would not move.”
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While Napoli got to keep their 30-year-old defender, United also got an incredible centre-back in their ranks in the form of four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane.
The 28-year-old World Cup winner has already made three appearances for the Manchester-based club and would be aiming to compete on all fronts this season under the stewardship of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
