Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly is ‘eager’ to move to the Premier League with Manchester United ready to reignite their bid for the defender.
United are expected to enter the market this summer to sign an experienced centre-back to partner Victor Lindelof.
Jose Mourinho was furious that the club failed to sign a defender last summer and the Red Devils failed with last-ditch bids for Jerome Boateng and Diego Godin after failing to land Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has improved United’s defence since taking charge at Old Trafford but the club remains determined to sign a centre-back and have been encouraged by Koulibaly’s openness to joining.
United were willing to spend close to £100m on Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane last summer but the Frenchman was unwilling to leave the Bernabeu.
Contrary to popular belief, United’s board were willing to bankroll a move for a centre-back last summer but they were unimpressed by Mourinho’s targets.
The Frenchman has since developed into one of the finest defenders in Europe and United’s chances of extracting him from the Bernabeu – especially given the two clubs’ contrasting fortunes in recent years are slim.
United were keen to move for Koulibaly in January but Napoli were unwilling to sell in mid-season. The Red Devils, though, believe the Serie A giants will be more willing to do business in the summer and are confident a fee of around £85m will land them Koulibaly.
