Manchester United have reportedly made a huge play to fix their defensive issues with news that they’ve made an £84 million bid for Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly.
Last season Manchester United conceded 54 goals in the Premier League, the most they’ve conceded in a league campaign since 1978/79 and the most by any team in the top half of the table.
According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport the Red Devils have bid £84 million for Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly, who they’ve been rumoured to be interested in for over a year.
The 27 year old is considered one of the world’s best defenders and has a €150 million release clause next summer but United are hoping to sign him this year and not for so much.
If Napoli were to accept that fee, or any larger fee, then the Ivorian would become the most expensive defender in the history of football, overtaking the £75 million Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk.
As well as Koulibaly, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team have been linked with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt as they look to strengthen.
Whilst defence is a key area for the team to be improved, and they’ve also been heavily rumoured to want a right back, United made their first signing of the summer further up the pitch.
On Saturday it was confirmed that Daniel James would be joining the team from Swansea City after the clubs agreed a reported £18 million deal.
Koulibaly joined Serie A side Napoli in 2014 for just £6.5 million and since joining has helped the club to two second place finishes in the league, as well as 3rd and 5th place finishes.
sportbible.com
