Liverpool May Ask Sadio Mane To Persuade Man City’s $100M Target To Join Anfield Side: Report

Liverpool FC reportedly are planning to use Sadio Mane to persuade Kalidou Koulibaly to move from Napoli to Anfield amid interest from Manchester City.

Napoli chief had earlier confirmed that Koulibaly could leave the Italian side, provided the club gets the right price for him. Even though their discussions with Man City about Koulibaly's possible move to Etihad have stalled because of the player's hefty asking price, expected to be at least $100 million, the former Premier League champions are still linked with the 29-year-old.

Liverpool were also chasing Koulibaly, who was expected to form a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk, but were put off by the player's huge transfer fee.

French publication Le Parisien has revealed that Liverpool have not given up hope yet in Koublibaly's case and may ask star striker Sadio Mane to convince his Senegal teammate to choose The Reds instead of Man City. Koulibaly is Mane's captain at the Senegal side and the two have built a close relationship over the years while establishing themselves as one of the best in European soccer.

Considering Napoli do not want Koulibaly to leave on loan, Liverpool will certainly have to spend at least $100 million if the Premier League champions want to acquire the services of the Senegal national. Liverpool recently signed Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich, Diogo Jota from Wolves and Greek defender Konstantinos Tsimikas at the ongoing summer market.

The Le Parisien report has also stated that since Man City have not made an official bid for Kohlibaly yet, the player has been linked with a few other top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). According to the French report, Koulibaly is not close to signing with the Ligue 1 champions.

Having impressed at Napoli over the years, Koulibaly has been termed as one of the best defenders at present. The center-back, who moved from Belgian club Genk to Napoli in 2014, is contracted with the Italian side until 2021.

Koulibaly has made 241 competitive appearances and has won two trophies with the Serie A side across seven seasons.