Manchester United preparing huge offer for in-demand defender

 

Manchester United are prepared to tempt Napoli with a huge offer for centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly as they gear up for the coming season, reports the Daily Mirror. 

 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to be handed the Manchester United reins on a permanent basis having impressed after succeeding Jose Mourinho as manager last year. 

 

The Norwegian boss is plotting his long-term plans for the squad with Koulibaly one of a number of centre-back targets for United. 

 

Solskjaer is looking to add a new centre-back to the squad, with Ruben Dias another linked with a summer switch, but Koulibaly remains the prime defensive target. 

 

The Senegal star was heavily linked with a move to United in January, though were deterred by Napoli’s valuation of one of their star players. 

 

Indeed, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis values Koulibaly at £128m, however United are hoping a deal can be struck for the player this summer. 

 

Harry Maguire is another centre-back that has been linked with a move to United, but Koulibaly remains the club’s number one target. 

 

 

Only Marcelo Brozovic (1710) has made more accurate passes than Koulibaly (1700) in Serie A this season, reinforcing a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘passing’.