Kalidou Koulibaly to Real Madrid: Spanish giants enter race for defender

Kalidou Koulibaly to Real Madrid: The Spanish club is the latest to express interest in the signing of the Napoli defender.

Real Madrid have had a shaky season so far. The side slumped to a stunning 2-0 loss against Real Sociedad last weekend.

After ending 2018 on a high with the Club World Cup win, Real Madrid are yet to register a victory in the two games they’ve played in January.

As a result, the side has slipped to fifth position in the league, with 30 points. Real are ten points behind league leaders Barcelona.

And so, the club has now entered the transfer market, and one of their prime targets, according to reports in Italy, is Kalidou Koulibaly.

Kalidou Koulibaly to Real Madrid:

The Senegalese defender has been heavily linked with Manchester United in the ongoing transfer window.

Real Madrid would be willing to offer Napoli close to €100million for Kalidou Koulibaly, who has been on the club’s radar for some time. [Il Mattino]

— RMOnly (@ReaIMadridOnly) January 7, 2019

Kalidou Koulibaly transfer: Real Madrid ‘prepare £90m bid’ to rival Man Utd: United are keen to land a centre-half in the transfer window but could be blown out of the water by Los Blancos https://t.co/sPzojNP2fd

— Football Talk ⚽️ (@fballtalkuk) January 8, 2019

United’s defence has been a cause of worry for many seasons now, and the side has conceded the joint-most goals among the Premier League top-10 (with West Ham United) in this season so far.

However, Manchester United are now set to face a tough competition from the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid, according to Italian outlet II Mattino (via Mirror) are reportedly set to make a bid in the region of £90m for the Senegalese defender.

Napoli are reportedly unwilling to accept anything less than Real Madrid’s bid amount, and it is expected that Real Madrid could lead Manchester United in the race to sign the defender, according to the report.

It’s clear Manchester United need a world-class centre back but who will they get? Looks as though the front runner at the moment is Kalidou #Koulibaly (Napoli) for an estimated fee of around £100m.

What do United fans think about this move? Good enough for Old Trafford?#MUFC pic.twitter.com/XTfEpQ4qKJ

— M7 Sports | Football (@_M7Sports) January 8, 2019

I know Kalidou Koulibaly is rated highly, but for £100m he would need to be better than VVD and I am not sure if that is the case or if he is the leader we need at the back. I would like Toby Alderweireld. #MUFC

— James Kenny 🐝 (@JamesyCantona) January 8, 2019

Kalidou Koulibaly | France Football join the Man United bandwagon, say club could make an ‘exception’ and sign defender in January. https://t.co/YXFRXha8uF #mufc

— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) January 7, 2019

Earlier, France Football reported that Manchester United are preparing a £100m bid for Koulibaly. The club was originally not inclined towards making an approach in the January transfer window, but the rising demand for the defender in the transfer market has forced Manchester United to make a move for the player, according to the report.