Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly considering a raid on Serie A this summer to sign one of Sadio Mane's international team-mates.
According to the Daily Mail today:
"Klopp is hoping to utilise the funds raised from the summer sale of Sakho by competing with Chelsea and Manchester City for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly".
Some info about 25-year old Koulibaly:
* 6'5 central defender. Contract expires: 2021.
* Napoli: 114 apps (6 goals/assists)
* Senegal: 16 apps, the majority of which were alongside Mane.
* Missed only 5 games through injury since 2012.
* Scouting Report (Strengths): "Robust, and physically imposing central defender. Superb blend of aggression, authority and intelligence. Seemingly always in the right place to steal the ball away from an opponent".
* Scouting Report (Weaknesses): "Somewhat ungainly. Often guilty of committing unnecessary fouls. long-range passing could improve. Prone to rare moments of inexplicable naivety".
* Mar 2016: Milan legend Zvonimir Boban (Now with Sky Italia) enthused: "For me, he's among the best in the world. He now comes out with the ball in such an impeccable way and is always physically dominant. Napoli have uncovered a champion.”
* Apr 2016: Diego Maradona raved: "He [Koulibaly] is phenomenal, the best defender in Serie A. There is a lot of racism around him. If he was white, he’d be playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona".
* Oct 2016: Napoli Chief Aurelio De Laurentiis claimed: "Chelsea offered to me £30m, £35m, £40m, £45m, and £50m [for Koulibaly]. Two days before the closing of the market, I hear £58m".
Koulibaly's contract expires in 4 years, so Napoli have a lot of bargaining power, but £58m? Give me a break. Virgil Van Dijk will probably be a cheaper option, and he is already Premier League proven.
If Liverpool do decide to pursue Koulibaly, then the presence of international team-mate Sadio Mane may give the Reds an advantage in negotiations...
According to the Daily Mail today:
"Klopp is hoping to utilise the funds raised from the summer sale of Sakho by competing with Chelsea and Manchester City for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly".
Some info about 25-year old Koulibaly:
* 6'5 central defender. Contract expires: 2021.
* Napoli: 114 apps (6 goals/assists)
* Senegal: 16 apps, the majority of which were alongside Mane.
* Missed only 5 games through injury since 2012.
* Scouting Report (Strengths): "Robust, and physically imposing central defender. Superb blend of aggression, authority and intelligence. Seemingly always in the right place to steal the ball away from an opponent".
* Scouting Report (Weaknesses): "Somewhat ungainly. Often guilty of committing unnecessary fouls. long-range passing could improve. Prone to rare moments of inexplicable naivety".
* Mar 2016: Milan legend Zvonimir Boban (Now with Sky Italia) enthused: "For me, he's among the best in the world. He now comes out with the ball in such an impeccable way and is always physically dominant. Napoli have uncovered a champion.”
* Apr 2016: Diego Maradona raved: "He [Koulibaly] is phenomenal, the best defender in Serie A. There is a lot of racism around him. If he was white, he’d be playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona".
* Oct 2016: Napoli Chief Aurelio De Laurentiis claimed: "Chelsea offered to me £30m, £35m, £40m, £45m, and £50m [for Koulibaly]. Two days before the closing of the market, I hear £58m".
Koulibaly's contract expires in 4 years, so Napoli have a lot of bargaining power, but £58m? Give me a break. Virgil Van Dijk will probably be a cheaper option, and he is already Premier League proven.
If Liverpool do decide to pursue Koulibaly, then the presence of international team-mate Sadio Mane may give the Reds an advantage in negotiations...
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