Man Utd Transfer News
Man Utd’s Record Bid To Sign 27-Year-Old Star Confirmed By Club President
Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed they rejected a mega £95m bid from Manchester United for defender Kalidou Koulibaly
The January transfer window is just around the corner and managers are working hard on possible deals or identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Man Utd have made a move to sign Kalidou Koulibaly…
Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed they rejected a mega £95m bid from Manchester United for defender Kalidou Koulibaly while Jose Mourinho was still in charge, according to the Express.
Koulibaly has developed into one of the best central defenders in world football since joining Napoli in 2014 with the powerful Senegalese international putting in a string of impressive performances.
It’s led to interest from some of Europe’s top clubs and Koulibaly was one of several names linked with a move to Man Utd last summer when Mourinho was desperately trying to strengthen his defensive options.
The Portuguese coach was left frustrated after United failed to land any of his prime targets and it’s led to a disastrous first half to the season which ultimately cost Mourinho his job on Tuesday after he was sacked by Ed Woodward.
However, it seems United have made every effort to sign Koulibaly as Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claims the Manchester giants submitted a £95m offer for the 27-year-old centre-back.
The bid – which would have smashed the world record fee paid for a defender – was rejected by the Italians and De Laurentiis suggests it’s now ‘impossible’ for Koulibaly to leave Napoli.
De Laurentiis is quoted as saying by the Express:
“[Jose] Mourinho wanted him, we rejected £95million. But now it’s impossible that he leaves Napoli.”
The Napoli chief doesn’t reveal precisely when United made the offer and it could have been back in the summer or more recently ahead of the January window as reports have continued to link Koulibaly with Man Utd.
He would have been a sensational signing had United managed to pull it off but judging by De Laurentiis’ comments, it appears highly unlikely Koulibaly will be arriving at Old Trafford any time soon.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been confirmed as Mourinho’s immediate replacement with the former United striker installed as caretaker manager until the end of the season so it will be interesting to see what moves the club make this winter now they have a temporary man in charge.
