Liverpool will have to fork out £90m (€100m) if Kalidou Koulibaly is to arrive at Anfield and partner Virgil van Dijk in defence next season. The Reds are unlikely to make too many signings this summer with the coronavirus pandemic hitting finances across football hard and a number of loanees due to return to the fold.
Koulibaly is an option, though, to bolster an already strong backline which kept yet another clean sheet in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Everton.
The Napoli colossus has the technical ability and physical stature to shine alongside Van Dijk under Jurgen Klopp.
But, despite being at the front of the queue for Koulibaly, Liverpool face a tough task getting a deal over the line.
Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web report Napoli have slapped a £90m price tag on the 29-year-old, who was signed from Genk for just £6.5m back in 2014.
Should Liverpool stump up that fee, Koulibaly will rise above Manchester United‘s Harry Maguire and become the most expensive defender in football history.
Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis might see his desire to keep hold of Koulibaly tested by United too.
The Red Devils are long-time admirers of the Senegal international and still have the financial power to make mega signings.
Earlier this month, Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli insisted the coronavirus crisis would not see the club sell Koulibaly on the cheap.
“Kalidou is a great player, who still has a long contract with us,” Giuntoli said. “If we were to sell, the club could ask for a large sum. “A player like this cannot change his value even in a crisis, so we are not moving our valuation.”
Liverpool pulled out of a deal for Timo Werner this summer, with the RB Leipzig forward now set to join Chelsea instead.
Klopp has plenty of riches in attack, though, and that explains his willingness to walk away from a potential agreement for his compatriot.
Van Dijk has been partnered at centre-back by Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren this season, but Koulibaly would represent an upgrade on all three of them.
Meanwhile, the point gained at Goodison Park on Sunday evening moved Liverpool a step closer to securing an elusive Premier League title.
Klopp’s men now just need five more to be assured of success, which has been delayed due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the 2019/20 campaign.
Next up for Liverpool is Wednesday night’s showdown with Crystal Palace, who kicked off their Premier League restart with a 2-0 win at Bournemouth.
