Kalidou Koulibaly transfer news: Manchester United can make an exception for the defender in the transfer window.
Manchester United have had a poor defensive record this season. The side has conceded the joint-most goals in the Premier League top 10 (with West Ham) in this season so far.
Before the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the side’s goal difference was in the negative i.e. they conceded more goals than they scored.
The defensive crisis is not new to Manchester United, and inconsistency has been apparent in the United’s backline – central defence in particular.
While Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot have looked promising in the fullback positions, the centre-backs have been struggling. With an exception of Victor Lindelof, the defenders have largely failed to impress the Old Trafford faithful.
And now, it has been reported that Manchester United could make a move for a defender in the January transfer window.
Kalidou Koulibaly transfer news:
Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for the Senegalese defender. Various English outlets have reported, however, that it is unlikely that the club would make a move to sign players in the current transfer window.
But French publication France Football (via Sport Witness) has reported that the board could make an exception for Kalidou Koulibaly.
#mufc dream of signing Kalidou Koulibaly. Despite Solskjær being a temporary manager, the club could make an exception to sign Koulibaly and try and sign him this month #mulive [france football, @Sport_Witness]
— utdreport (@utdreport) 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
The defender has been on the radar of many European giants, but Manchester United are said to be the favourites to pull off a deal for Koulibaly.
France Football, in its weekly magazine, has stated that the board acknowledges the ‘ferocious’ competition it might face for the signing of the defender, but is ready to make an exception to launch a bid in the region of £100m for Koulibaly in January.
The outlet also reports that the situation surrounding Koulibaly’s move is further motivated by the racist remarks he had to face during a Serie A game against Inter Milan last month.
If Koulibaly is open to a move to United as reports suggest, we should be doing absolutely everything to get him. Throw however much money it takes. We need to sort our defensive issues once and for all and can’t afford to see him go to our rivals and strengthen their defence.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) January 8, 2019
Manchester United “are dreaming” of signing Napoli central defender Kalidou Koulibaly this January, but know they will need to come close to €100m to do a deal, according to France Football.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) January 8, 2019
What next?
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United makes a move for Koulibaly, or any other footballer in the current transfer window.
The players, meanwhile, are taking part in the warm-weather training sessions in Dubai as they prepare for the upcoming fixture against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
