Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp not keen on Kalidou Koulibaly signing
According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not intent on signing Napoli and Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the upcoming transfer window.
The 28-year-old is keen on securing an exit from the Serie A outfit this summer, with a number of clubs eyeing his signing. And Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for the centre-back.
However, Pearce has dismissed any such speculations, claiming that Liverpool manager Klopp is not looking to recruit a new centre-back this summer. (h/t The Athletic)
“No idea where Koulibaly talk has come from. Klopp isn’t in the market for a CB as far as I’m aware.”
In Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, we have one of the most solid centre-back partnerships in the Premier League. Joel Matip, when fit and available, is a quality backup to call upon.
However, Dejan Lovren has failed to impress this term. In addition, the Croatian’s contract is up for expiry next year and could be sold in the summer. Should the seasoned campaigner leave, we might need a new defender to provide cover for our first-choice duo.
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However, spending a lot of money on the signing of Koulibaly always looked an unlikely prospect. Napoli value the Senegalese international at a whopping £89m. This would have made him the world’s most expensive defender, eclipsing the fee that our rivals Manchester United shelled out on Harry Maguire last summer.
With Pearce claiming that Klopp has no plans of recruiting a new centre-back this summer, we could see the likes of Ki-Jana Hoever or Sepp van den Berg play an increased role next term. Nathaniel Phillips, who is currently out on loan at VfB Stuttgart, is also an option, although his contract will also expire next year.
