Glenn Fernandes
Transfer News: Manchester United never considered Kalidou Koulibaly a priority target this summer
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United never considered Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly as a priority this summer. The Red Devils instead had their eye on La Liga stars Raphael Varane and Pau Torres.
The 30-year-old is one of Serie A’s top defenders and has been linked to United several times in the past. He has started the current campaign in top form and is a key member of the Gli Azzurri side currently topping the Serie A table.
Koulibaly was on target at the weekend as Napoli downed Juventus in what was a statement win. Having struggled for form last campaign, the Senegalese ace appears to be getting back to his best.
According to the report, Varane was United’s top target. The Red Devils eventually got their man and the French World Cup winner was unveiled in front of a rapacious Old Trafford crowd on opening day against Leeds United.
Had the Red Devils missed out on the 28-year-old they would have turned their attentions to Torres. The Spaniard is emerging as a dependable player at Villarreal and starred in their Europa League final over United last season. He however remains a work in progress and enjoyed both good and bad moments at the Euros.
Whether he will develop into a player the Red Devils will return for in the future remains to be seen.
The right player!
Varane experienced his first loss in United colours in the Champions League on Tuesday. He came on as a substitute for Donny van de Beek at halftime as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struggled to cope with Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s sending off.
The Frenchman did not put a foot wrong but rather fell victim to Jesse Lingard’s misguided backpass. A proven winner, he will hopefully shake it off and continue to impress.
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Koulibaly is an elite defender on his day and at 30, has a few years left in him. However United made the right decision to move for Varane instead.
The Frenchman is an elite defender who is well accustomed to winning the biggest trophies in world football. He does not just add quality to the Red Devils backline but also brings with him a winner’s mentality. Whether United’s actions this summer point at them having ended their interest in Koulibaly for good remains to be seen.
