Man Utd Could Hijack Chelsea’s Attempts To Sign £65m Serie A Star

The summer transfer window is open and managers are working hard on their transfer targets so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Man Utd are linked with Chelsea target Kalidou Koulibaly….

Manchester United could be ready to hijack Chelsea’s attempts to sign Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly as Jose Mourinho looks to strengthen his defence, according to a report in the Express.

Koulibaly has been one of the best defenders in Italian football since joining Napoli from Genk four years ago and he played a key role in helping the club push Juventus all the way in the Serie A title race last season before falling just short at the final hurdle.

The Senegalese international has been starring for his country at the World Cup in Russia and he’s been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months with a number of clubs credited with an interest.

Chelsea have been leading the race so far with the Sun reporting towards the end of last season that the Blues were prepared to pay £65m to sign the 6ft 5in central defender this summer.

The Express claim that in-coming Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri – who’s set to replace Antonio Conte in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat – wants to lure Koulibaly with him to west London having worked with him at Napoli in recent years.

However, it looks like Chelsea will face stiff competition as the Express cite a report from the Manchester Evening News that claims United have now made Koulibaly one of their key transfer targets.

Mourinho needs to strengthen his squad if United are to compete with Man City for the title next season and another centre-back is believed to be a priority as a reliable partner for Eric Bailly needs to be found.

The report says United could now push ahead with a move for Koulibaly as Mourinho has been impressed by his displays so far at the World Cup and he’s keen to take more African players to Old Trafford after seeing the likes of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane excel at Liverpool.

United have been strongly linked with Toby Alderweireld in recent months but with Tottenham proving difficult to deal with over the Belgian international, it seems Mourinho could turn his attention to Koulibaly.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop but I think Koulibaly would be an excellent signing for United or Chelsea if either club could get a deal agreed for the 27-year-old this summer.