It was argued earlier by Italian media that it was not only Lorenzo Insigne’s final match for the club, but also highly-rated stopper Kalidou Koulibaly’s. However, reports have emerged out of Naples regarding contractual talks being underway at the club for an extension.
According to Naples’ local newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno (via TuttoNapoli), it is too early to come to a conclusion, with Koulibaly being trailed by a host of clubs, including Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United. Negotiations for an extended deal is underway, but Koulibaly’s stance is still unknown.
Cherubini will try for Koulibaly, but he is also working on Arsenal’s Gabriel, for which he’s trying to set up a swap deal involving Arthur Melo. The other names on list for the defence are: Milenkovic and Akanji.
— JuveFC (@juvefcdotcom) May 23, 2022
Another surprising suitor in Juventus has emerged for Koulibaly’s signature, according to Tuttosport.
However, it is understood that the Partenopei are keen on keeping him, given his status as one of the world’s best defenders. The Senegal stopper is contracted until 2023 and wants to win trophies with the club, which has so far been unsuccessful after eight seasons in the sky-blue colors.
Napoli president de Laurentiis tells @gerardromero: “Barcelona have not asked for Koulibaly and I think Barça don’t have enough money to sign any player”. ⚠️?? #FCB
“We’re not interested in any swap deal”, de Laurentiis said about Pjanić rumours. pic.twitter.com/nFHXFbuRUz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 20, 2022
Koulibaly spoke to Onze Mundial recently in an exclusive interview and shed out thoughts regarding his future.
“I will leave, but for the moment I am completely calm and well in Napoli. We will see what happens at the end of the season,” (via SPORT).
Napoli finished third in the 2021/22 campaign after a rollercoaster season that saw them contend for a first Scudetto in over three decades. Luciano Spalletti’s men ultimately succumbed to a winless streak of three matches against Fiorentina, Roma and Empoli to give away hopes of grabbing the league title.