Kalidou Koulibaly to Manchester United: The club has been linked with a move for the defender in the summer as well.
Manchester United are currently 6th in the Premier League. The side has been facing issues in their defence, and after months of having a negative goal difference, United stepped up with a 4-1 win against Fulham last weekend to score more goals than conceded.
The defence has been a significant problem for Mourinho this season. After poor performances from Eric Bailly, Mourinho was forced to play Scott McTominay in the central defence. However, as Smalling and Lindelof were building a formidable partnership, Lindelof suffered an injury, while Smalling is reportedly facing a foot-fracture.
Manchester United were linked with a move for Kalidou Koulibaly at the beginning of the season, but no substantial deal was put on the place.
The rumours, however, have now grown stronger again.
Kalidou Koulibaly to Manchester United:
The Senegalese defender has been a powerhouse at the back for Italian side Napoli. He has been one of the key performers for the Serie A club, and established himself as a top centre-back in Europe.
Kalidou Koulibaly for £90m? Bargain. Without a doubt, he’s up there with the elite centrehalfs in Europe. This would be a statement signing, just get it done. No haggling, pay the £90m, come on Ed.
— Josh (@ManUnitedMedia) December 9, 2018
Jose Mourinho has made the defender one of the top targets for Manchester United, and Daily Record’s Duncan Castles reported over the weekend that the club officials have met Napoli to explore possibilities over a transfer.
Manchester United have conceded 26 goals in 16 games so far.
In the last couple of days we’ve been linked with Kalidou Koulibaly, Frenkie De Jong and now Tangay Ndombele. This only means one thing. Welcome to Manchester United, Gary Cahill, Mohamed Elneny & Mark Noble.
— Ryan. 🔴 (@Vintage_Utd) December 10, 2018
Castles stated that Manchester United have been quoted a price in the excess of 90 million pounds for the player. However, La Domenica Sportiva states that the fee could reach up to 150m, which would make him the most expensive defender in the world.
Don’t care about Koulibaly’s fee one bit pay whatever it takes to get him he’s a world class CB in his prime never gonna come cheap
To those who want “cheaper” options do you care more about having quality or quantity??
Or letting the money go to the Glazer’s pockets? #mufc https://t.co/re0Z5uJL6z— Ronnie 💯 (@Meticulous31) December 11, 2018
The Italian outlet also reports that Napoli will use the funds from Koulibaly’s sale to sign Edinson Cavani from Paris Saint Germain. It claims that Chelsea and Barcelona will rival Manchester United for Koulibaly, and that Napoli will only sell the player at the end of the season.
United have been quoted a price of over £90m for Kalidou Koulibaly. Senior United officials recently met with Napoli to explore the possibility of a January deal. #mufc [Duncan Castles] pic.twitter.com/H7pfBwM6Nb
— Simply Utd (@SimplyUtd) December 9, 2018
The club has also been strongly linked with Toby Alderweireld in the summer, and the rumours surrounding the deal have picked up the pace as the January transfer window approaches.
