{"id":546715,"date":"2020-03-22T14:28:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-22T18:28:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=546715"},"modified":"2020-03-22T14:28:43","modified_gmt":"2020-03-22T18:28:43","slug":"report-manchester-united-handed-boost-in-kalidou-koulibaly-chase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/03\/22\/report-manchester-united-handed-boost-in-kalidou-koulibaly-chase\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Manchester United Handed Boost in Kalidou Koulibaly Chase"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester United<\/a> have been handed a boost in their chase for Napoli defender\u00a0Kalidou Koulibaly<\/a>, according to Freddie Keighley of the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Manchester United Handed Boost in Kalidou Koulibaly Chase<\/h2>\n

Red Devils are Looking for Another Central Defender<\/h3>\n

Manchester United are looking for another centre-back after signing<\/a> Harry Maguire<\/a> for a record \u00a3<\/span>80 million last summer. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Englishman arrived from Leicester City <\/a>and, while he did not immediately settle, now looks to have their defence under control with the Red Devils having kept four clean sheets in their last five Premier League<\/a> games while conceding just twice in their last 11 in all competitions.<\/span><\/p>\n

United recently gave Maguire the honour of becoming their captain<\/a>, and they will be looking for someone to partner the new skipper. Currently, Victor Lindelof<\/a> is a regular alongside him, with Eric Bailly<\/a> also returning to the starting team after injury.<\/p>\n

Neither of these have managed to established long runs of good form in the starting XI, so United will look to bring in another centre-back to help in their rebuild.<\/p>\n

Koulibaly is certainly an option, and his joining the Red Devils seems a possibility, but with interest<\/a> from elsewhere and United\u2019s focus on different positions, the timing may not work.<\/p>\n

Not a Top Priority?<\/h3>\n

Centre-back is not the most pressing issue at Manchester United this summer. The Red Devils are lacking a right-winger, with Marcus Rashford<\/a> as their established left-sided attacker and Anthony Martial<\/a> looking to solidify himself as their striker. Right-wing, however, is still an issue.<\/p>\n

Jadon Sancho<\/a> is their biggest focus<\/a> this summer, but with his services reportedly<\/a> costing nine figures from Borussia Dortmund, United may not have enough to fund a big-money move for Napoli\u2019s Senegalese centre-back.<\/p>\n

Manchester United Handed the Boost<\/h3>\n

According to the Mirror\u2019s report, and Il Mattino<\/a>, the defender is \u2018ready to leave [Napoli] this summer\u2019. This gives United a huge boost, with the English giants one of the frontrunners in the race for his signature. Although the timing may not be right, Koulibaly\u2019s willingness to leave could give United a discounted price, allowing them to sign him this summer.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>