Napoli could sell Kalidou Koulibaly to a Premier League club in the summer transfer window if they sign Lille forward Victor Osimhen.
According to the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Napoli are set to spend £70 million on Osimhen, which would open the door for the 29-year-old Senegalese centre-back to leave the San Paolo.
Napoli Likely to Sell Kalidou Koulibaly for £70 Million if They Sign Victor Osimhem
Differing Valuations
Napoli and Lille are currently £20 million apart in their valuations of the Nigerian winger, but it is expected that they will reach a deal that will bring Osimhen to southern Italy.
Mike McGrath’s transfer notebook: Napoli to make Kalidou Koulibaly available for a move to the Premier League | @mcgrathmike https://t.co/23XKVbwEcN
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) July 5, 2020
Before the coronavirus pandemic impacted football clubs’ spending power, Napoli were reportedly going to demand £100 million to sell Koulibaly, but are now likely to accept an offer in the region of £70 million, according to the Independent’s Miguel Delaney.
Manchester United and Manchester City have both been linked with Koulibaly, who was a key part of the Napoli team that defeated Juventus in the Coppa Italia final in June.
Koulibaly’s Career in Naples
Koulibaly has been at Napoli since 2014, joining for just £6.5 million from Belgian club Genk.
In six years in Naples, Koulibaly has played 177 Serie A matches and quickly became a vital part of the side that almost put an end to Juventus’ Serie A dominance in the 2017/18 season.
However, Napoli have failed to make it past the round of 16 in the Champions League since Koulibaly joined the club, and the only other silverware they have won in that time is the 2014 Supercoppa Italiana.
In 2019, Koulibaly was named as the 30th best player in the world by the Guardian and was listed as the second-best centre-back on the planet in the publication’s list of the 100 best male footballers, showing how his time at Napoli has transformed him into a player who could fit into any of Europe’s elite clubs and challenge for league titles and continental glory.
Will We See Koulibaly in the Premier League?
According to The Athletic, City have already agreed terms with the 29-year-old and are ready to negotiate a deal with the Italian club.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in the hunt for a new centre-back to fill the void left by Vincent Kompany’s departure to Anderlecht last summer, which would be an early sign of their intent to challenge Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool side more closely next season.
Meanwhile, United are considering splashing out on a winger (with Jadon Sancho still their priority), a centre midfielder and a defender.
United, who have looked shaky at the back at times this season – conceding twice to relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Saturday – are likely to spend big money on a centre-back partner for Harry Maguire.
If they can get a deal over the line, Koulibaly would provide valuable support to David de Gea, who has made more errors leading to goals than any other Premier League player since the start of the 2018/19 season.
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