Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been handed a huge boost in their hunt for a new defender, after Napoli gave Senegalese star Kalidou Koulibaly the 'green light' to leave Stadio San Paolo this summer.
The 29-year-old has been on the radar of Europe's elite clubs for a number of years now, and it appears the time has come for him to wave goodbye to Naples, after six years with the Serie A side.
According to Tutto Napoli, Koulibaly's agent has returned to Napoli, and is in advanced talks with the club over his client's possible departure. Napoli have agreed to allow the centre-back to go in search of a new challenge this summer - provided that his suitors are prepared to match the star's significant price tag.
So, dreams of Virgil van Dijk lining up alongside Koulibaly - rated as one of Europe's best defenders - are still alive? Well, that remains doubtful. Although it is claimed that the Senegalese's agent has travelled to Naples to formalise an offer from Liverpool, the Reds' recent activity (or lack thereof) in the transfer window suggests this is far from the case.
Jurgen Klopp's men seemed destined to land RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner this summer, following months of flirting between the pair. But the Premier League champions suddenly decided against striking a deal for the German striker, allowing Chelsea to swoop in and steal his signature.
The Blues are once again on the hunt for a new defender, as Frank Lampard aims to add some steel to his impressive portfolio of attacking gems. And the west London club will be buoyed by the latest developments, which 90min exclusively revealed, that I Partenopei are willing to lower Koulibaly's asking price to around £75m.
Another Premier League giant who would not think twice about stumping up that sort of sum for a world-class defender is Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side has failed to recapture the relentless form of the past two seasons, and defensive frailties have led to calls for some quality additions to their current backline alternatives.
And Koulibaly more than fits the bill.
So, the Napoli superstar seems destined to leave Italy this summer, and his future could well lie in the Premier League. But we may be wise ruling Liverpool out of this transfer, sooner rather than later.
Source : 90min