Ben Guest
Manchester United are reported to have had a world record, £96 million bid for Kalidou Koulibaly rejected, according to reports in Italy.
The Senegal international is regarded as one of the worlds finest centre-backs and has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United thought to be most strongly interested in his services.
However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport journalist, Nicolo Schira, Napoli have knocked back a bid worth €110m for the 27-year-old, who do not want to sell their star asset this summer for any price.
United’s bid would make Koulibaly the most expensive defender in world football, eclipsing the £75 million that Liverpool spent to sign Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.
#Napoli have rejected a #ManchesterUnited’s bid (€110M) for Kalidou #Koulibaly. De Laurentiis doesn’t sell him and the termination clause (€150M) will be valid only from 2020. #transfers #MUFC #mutd
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) May 20, 2019
Koulibaly does have a €150m (£131m) release clause in his contract with the Serie A side, although that doesn’t become active until next summer.
Manchester United are however desperate for defensive reinforcements right now, with the 54 goals conceded this season their worst ever defensive performance in the Premier League era.
They have also been linked with Leicester City’s Harry Maguire, Spurs’ Toby Alderweireld and Benfica’s Ruben Dias.
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. @ColmBoohig labels Guardiola the ‘Messi of coaches’ and has an unfavourable comparison for @ManUtd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 🙈
It was a shortened pod this week, but still a solid listen. 🎧👌
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— Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) May 14, 2019