Manchester United, Liverpool Are Chasing $108M-Worth Defender Ahead Of Summer Transfer Window: Report

Manchester United reportedly have revived their interest in signing Kalidou Koulibaly after discovering Liverpool FC’s interest in the Napoli star.

Man Utd boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had plans of signing Koulibaly last summer after the Napoli defender had been named in the Serie A Team of the Season. It is understood that the Old Trafford side had offered to pay $108m for the Senegal international player and had the deal gone through, Koulibaly would have become the most expensive defender on the planet.

However, it did not happen as the Red Devils roped in Harry Maguire instead of $97m.

According to a report in Italian newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport, Man Utd are ready to approach Napoli with another offer for the 28-year-old. The report further stated that this time around, the Premier League side can sign the player for a price as lower as $75 million. Koulibaly’s average performance this season along with the coronavirus crisis has lowered his price tag.

Despite having their defenders performing well, Man Utd are looking to make another signing for the 2020-21 season. Ever since Maguire has been made the club captain, his performance has improved to a great extent as Man Utd have pushed themselves up to the fourth place in the Premier League table and were on an 11-match undefeated streak before the pandemic virus halted the 2019-20 season in March.

Even the likes of Victor Lindelof, who joined Man Utd in 2017 from Benfica, Eric Bailly, and Axel Tuanzebe have been impressive. However, injuries have restricted Baily and Tuanzebe’s game time this season. It is understood that Koulibaly could be an ideal replacement for Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who are both expected to be sold at the upcoming summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are seeing Koulibaly as a potential alternative for Dejan Lovren, who is set to leave Anfield this summer. He could strengthen the team’s defense alongside world-class Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

After the U.K. government announced that no sports can resume before June 1, there have been reports saying that Premier League is aiming to restart the season from June 12. After a nearly two-month break, the clubs have begun to train and there are going to be surprise inspections to make sure the teams are following the safety guidelines.