Liverpool have reportedly made a bid to Italian side Napoli to try and secure the signature of centre-half Kalidou Koulibaly.
This comes after it was recently published in a report by Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) that the Reds have tried to sign the defender for €60m (£54.3m) in an attempt to try and bring him to Anfield this summer.
Indeed, it’s claimed that Jurgen Klopp is presented as wanting the signing done, and being behind the club’s attempt for the defender.
The 29-year-old signed to Napoli back in 2014 from KRC Genk for a fee of £6.98 million. Since then, the Senegalese international has gone on to make a total of 235 appearances for the club, in which he has managed to score 10 goals and provide five assists (per Transfermarkt).
This season has seen the defender, who is currently valued at £50.4 million according to Transfermarkt, make 23 appearances for the club across all competitions (per Transfermarkt).
Koulibaly’s performances in his 15 Serie A appearances so far this season have resulted in the defender being awarded a season rating of 6.78/10, making him Napoli’s 12th-highest-rated player in this campaign (per WhoScored).
Do Liverpool need to sign a defender this summer?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
According to WhoScored, one of Liverpool’s weaknesses include their inability to stop opponents from creating chances.
This could make Koulibaly a good fit in Jurgen Klopp’s side, as some of his strengths include his tackling and ability to block the ball (per WhoScored).
Other than that, Liverpool have a good defensive record this season, having only conceded 21 Premier League goals so far this season, the lowest of any Premier League side.
Whether this report is true or not is yet to be seen, but until either Liverpool or Napoli announce the deal, then everything surrounding this potential transfer is all just speculation.