Real Madrid are looking for a new trustworthy defender after selling Raphael Varane to Manchester United. Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan of Kalidou Koulibaly, but he would not come cheap. As always, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will hold firm on his lofty requests, La Repubblica reports.
The Italian gaffer coached the Senegalese center-back for one and a half season in the recent past. He had also asked Everton to try signing him. According to the newspaper, Koulibaly would be enthusiastic about moving to Real Madrid. But he will not deteriorate his relationship with the Azzurri and force a move out. His contract expires in 2023, and the talks to extend it have not started.
Napoli received only a €35M offer from Manchester United for the Senegalese powerhouse this summer, Corriere dello Sport informs. Instead, his price tag is €50/60M. His former agent Bruno Satin talked to Radio Kiss Kiss yesterday: “De Laurentiis has always been inflexible regarding his departure. Moreover, new coach Luciano Spalletti will do everything in his power to keep him.”
He added: “Like most teams, Napoli are facing some financial issues and will have to permit some departures. Real Madrid only have the money to buy Kylian Mbappé. There is a serious cash shortage in football, and the situation is complicated.”
The Merengues need to hurry because the Italian club would likely rebuff late bids as they want to have time to find a proper replacement. In that regard, they have long eyed Feyenoord’s Marcos Senesi, Corriere dello Sport relays.