body-container-line-1
14.12.2018 Football News

Man United Preparing £100m Bid For Koulibaly

By DAILY MAIL
Man United Preparing 100m Bid For Koulibaly
14.12.2018 LISTEN

Manchester United are considering a January deal for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly that would make the Senegalese the most expensive defender in history.

Jose Mourinho has long been in the market for a new centre-back and his side's woeful defensive record this season, following a disappointing summer window, has made it clear he needs new recruits.

The Portuguese boss is said to have already had two bids rejected for Koulibaly, who impressed in Napoli's 1-0 defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday night.

According to the Evening Standard, the Red Devils are now contemplating a third bid. However, the Serie A side are said to be only willing to accept an offer in the region of £100 million.

That would eclipse the £75m paid by Liverpool to Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in January and see Koulibaly become the most expensive defender of all time.

Mourinho has also considered moves for Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, Leicester's Harry Maguire and Jerome Boateng of Bayern Munich in the past but Koulibaly appears to be his principal target.

Inter’s Milan Skriniar is another defender on the club's radar while reports suggest Mourinho is a fan of AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli.

One thing that could work in United's favour is their progression in the Champions League, while Napoli crashed out following the defeat at Anfield.

Mourinho’s focus on recruiting a new centre-back plunges the futures of the club's current defenders into doubt. It is thought Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo could both depart the club in January to free up funds for a new recruit.

body-container-line