Manchester United open talks with Napoli over £90m Kalidou Koulibaly transfer
Manchester United have held talks with Napoli over a £90million move for Kalidou Koulibaly in the January transfer window after the defender intimated hed be keen on a move to Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho is determined to strengthen at centre-back after watching his United side ship 26 goals in their opening 16 league games this term.
Koulibaly, 27, is considered to be one of the finest defenders in Europe but he signed a new long-term deal with Napoli last summer and the Serie A club are reluctant to let him leave midway through the season.
The Senegalese star is keen on a move to the Theatre of Dreams and has encouraged Uniteds interest, according to the Times.
That has convinced the Red Devils that a deal in January is possible and United have held preliminary talks with Napoli over signing the defender.
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Napolis Champions League fate will be determined against Liverpool at Anfield this week and should the Reds knock out the Italians it could aid Uniteds desire to sign Koulibaly in January.
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The Serie A giants value the defender at £90m but Mourinho is said to be pessimistic about Uniteds willingness to pay what would be a world record amount for a defender.
United signed Diogo Dalot, 19, from Porto last summer instead of a more experienced full-back and Mourinho fears he will be forced into following a similar path again.
As such, Mourinho has shortlisted Porto star Eder Militao as a cheaper, more viable alternative.
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