ARSENAL have pinpointed Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly as the man to improve their failing defence.
ARSENAL have pinpointed Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly as the man to improve their failing defence.
But the Italian club have placed a £53 million price tag on the Senegal star’s head, which put him out of Arsenal’s reach as they count the cost of failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Antonio Conte wanted to take Koulibaly to Chelsea in 2016 and he has been identified by Arsenal as they bid to tighten up at the back after Arsene Wenger’s departure.
The Gunners have conceded 51 league goals, the most they have let in since 1983-84, and are losing two centre-backs, with captain Per Mertesacker retiring and Laurent Koscielny out for months with a serious Achilles injury.
Wenger had wanted Jonny Evans, who is available for £3million after West Bromwich Albion’s relegation.
Napoli are expected to pocket a £50million windfall from selling midfielder Jorginho to an English club, with Manchester City favourites, and can afford to put a high price on Koulibaly.
The 26-year-old is under contract with Napoli until 2021 but Napoli are well aware they face a tough battle to keep hold of him this summer.
Koulibaly has even been linked with a switch to rivals Juventus and his agent, Bruno Satin, reckons he is good enough to play at the top level.
“It’s too early to talk about the future,” Satin said earlier this week.“The lad will play until the end of the season to try and get as many points as possible.
“Clearly this is a World Cup year, so it’s a particular year and we’ll have to see how the [Maurizio] Sarri issue will end, that could definitely have an impact.
“Kalidou at Juve? He’s at a level where he could play anywhere.”
Koulibaly’s future could depend on whether Maurizio Sarri remains in charge next season.
Sarri has been strongly linked with replacing Antonio Conte at Chelsea in the summer and is due to have talks with president Aurelio De Laurentiis at the end of the campaign.
COMMENTS