Manchester United transfer news: ‘£80million bid for Kalidou Koulibaly rejected by Napoli’
Jose Mourinho hopes to bring a new central defender to Old Trafford throughout the January transfer window
Napoli have rejected a bid from Manchester United for Kalidou Koulibaly, according to reports.
Koulibaly, the Senegal defender, is understood to be one of Jose Mourinho's prime targets heading into the January transfer window with a new centre-half high on the Portuguese's wish list.
The Red Devils failed to sign the likes of Toby Alderweireld, the Tottenham star, and Real Madrid's Raphael Varane over the summer, and Mourinho remains keen on strengthening a defence that has been remarkably porous this season.
And he's moved quickly to try and seal a deal for Koulibaly before the transfer window has even reopened, offering Napoli £80million for the 27-year-old that would make him the most expensive defender in the history of the game.
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However, United's bid was quickly knocked back, with saying Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli president, does not want to sell Koulibaly for anything less than £89million (€100m).
Koulibaly is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders currently playing the game, having established himself at the elite level since joining Napoli four summers ago.
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He's gone on to make 180 appearances for the San Paolo club, helping them develop into Juventus' main challengers for Serie A success.