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Manchester United identify Kalidou Koulibaly and Milan Skriniar as top priority in summer window

Sudarshan Venkatesan
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Kalidou Koulibaly and Milan Skriniar to Manchester United

Manchester United have identified two Serie A centre-backs as their priority in the summer transfer window. 

The Red Devils have been flying since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken over the club following the sack of Jose Mourinho in mid-December. The Norwegian International has won eight and drew one of the last nine games in charge at Old Trafford.

It is understood that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brought in ‘The Manchester United Way‘ by attacking and taking the game to opponents half to win games. They have scoring plenty of goals under the Interim manager, but they have not looked convincing at the back when they have played big teams.

When they faced Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, the defence was all over the pitch and David De Gea won the game singlehandedly by making more than ten saves that game. During their trip to the Emirates, the hosts missed plenty of chances to go ahead in the game, and the backline of United looked nervous when Aubameyang pulled one back for the Gunners.

It is no brainer that they are looking to bolster their backline following their defensive calamities. Swedish International Victor Lindelof has picked up his game, but his partner always seems out to out of the grove. With the likes of Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, and Marcos Rojo, there is no doubt that there is a room of improvement in this department.

According to the English outlet Independent, it is understood that the Red Devils are looking at Kalidou Koulibaly and Milan Skrinar in the summer transfer window to bolster their backline. The report also adds on that the Red Devils were trying to pursue a deal in January, but the moves never materialized because the Serie A club wanted high sum which Manchester United were never going to pay.

During last month, various sources reported that Napoli turned down a 120 million bid for Kalidou Koulibaly from Barcelona as the club insisted to hold on to him until the end of the season.

On the other hand, due to the repeated approach, the Nerazzurri are wanting Skrinar to sign an ‘Anti-Manchester United’ contract clause to put off the Red Devils. During last month, Skriniar posted on his Instagram by playing down suggestions that he would join Manchester United in the future and called media ‘Shit stories’.

The club has allocated a hefty sum for a new centre-back in the summer transfer window. The Red Devils will name a replacement soon and will start searching for players as soon as the joining manager leaves his shortlist.

There is no doubt that both Kalidou Koulibaly and Milan Skriniar would cost more than 200 million combined in the summer and the Red Devils will be hoping to lure one of the Serie A defenders to Old Trafford.

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