Transfer blow for Liverpool as Bundesliga giants take the lead in the race for Serie A defender

Bayern Munich take lead in the race to sign long-term Liverpool transfer target Kalidou Koulibaly

A report by Italian outlet Tutomercato (h/t Liverpool Echo) mentions that Bayern Munich have made a ‘firm offer’ to Napoli for long-term Liverpool transfer target Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Senegalese defender joined the Serie A side from KRC Genk all the way back in the summer of 2014. Since then, he has been a stellar defender for Napoli where he has made 274 appearances so far. (h/t transfermarkt

Liverpool have been linked with the 29-year-old for a number of seasons now and the links have not died down. But the report now mentions that Bayern have met with Napoli over a possible transfer.

Koulibaly’s lawyer, Fali Ramadani, reportedly held talks with Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, with regards to a ‘firm offer’ from the German side.

Battle for Koulibaly

Bayern’s current offer falls €45million short of Napoli’s valuation of the player. However, Gli Azurri might be forced to sell the player at the end of the season anyway due to the financial effects of Covid-19.

The Reds have had an unprecedented injury crisis in defence this season. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip are all sidelined with long-term injuries.

Regardless of the injuries, it would always help to have an experienced defender like Koulibaly in the team. At 29, he still has a few years of football left in him.

But if the report is true, then the club would know that they would have to battle Bayern in order to sign the Senegalese defender.

More Liverpool News:

• Liverpool receive transfer blow over Youri Tielemans

• Manchester United ready to hijack Liverpool target Raphinha

• Rafael Benitez would love to return to Liverpool in the future

Liverpool signed two defenders on deadline day in January. Ben Davies, who came from Preston North End, is yet to appear for the club. Ozan Kabak, meanwhile, arrived on loan from Schalke on a 6-month until the end of the season.