Transfer News: Liverpool still interest in Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly
According to a report by Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport via Paisley Gates (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are ‘very interested’ in signing Napoli centre-back, Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Senegalese international is valued at €50million by his Naples-based club. However, the Reds are believed to be willing to pay €40million for him.
This news would have made more sense if it came out in the last transfer window. Right now, it doesn’t seem like Jurgen Klopp has space for the 30-year-old in his squad.
Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez will return from their season-ending injuries, and the Reds have already added Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig to their ranks.
Do LFC need Koulibaly?
Moreover, the club is also said to have turned down the chance to sign Ozan Kabak for just £8.5million. Amidst this, signing a 30-year-old centre-back for a significant amount is probably not the best idea.
Instead, the Reds can put such funds in other areas of the squad. Roberto Firmino can do with some competition for the No.9 spot, while the club can also do with another midfielder after Georginio Wijnaldum’s exit.
There is no doubt that Koulibaly is a quality defender. But the Reds currently have a number of players that would be vying for starts.
Apart from the four Liverpool defenders mentioned above, they also have Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips within their ranks. And considering Koulibaly’s status, it is unlikely that he will be content with a place on the bench.
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Thus, signing the former Genk defender would be more of a luxury than a necessity. But if he does manage to sign for the Merseysiders, a Van Dijk-Koulibaly defensive pairing is something that not many fans would be complaining about.
