Reliable journalist Dean Jones has opened up on Manchester United's pursuit of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. As per Spanish media outlet Fichajes, the Red Devils are interested in signing the Senegal international.
The 30-year-old will enter the final year of his deal with Napoli after the current season and there have been no concrete reports of a contract renewal.
The Naples-based club have shown incredible resilience in holding on to their star defender over the years despite interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
Dean Jones has suggested that the Africa Cup of Nations winner would be an upgrade on Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire. However, he added that the 30-year-old is far from the perfect defender and is also prone to errors. He told GIVEMESPORT:
“Koulibaly, he’s probably a better defender than Maguire, but it’s not like he’s without problems, he makes mistakes, too."
Jones pointed out that Koulibaly has attracted plenty of interest from top clubs in the past, but the interest has gone down quickly. He added:
“He is playing at a higher level right now, but the issue will be if they do go for him, after a little while of people not being interested in him, he now has four or five big European clubs looking at him.”
Manchester United might have to fend off plenty of competition if they have to sign Koulibaly this summer. According to Italian journalist Matteo Moretto, Chelsea are also eyeing a move for the Senegalese international as they are set to lose Rudiger and Christensen. But it would take a 'super offer' to convince Napoli.
Manchester United desperately need to bolster their defensive ranks
Much was expected from Raphael Varane when the Red Devils signed him last summer from Real Madrid. But both Varane and Maguire have been disappointing this campaign, as have other options like Lindelof, Bailly and Jones.
It is obvious that Erik ten Hag will want to shore up his backline as soon as he takes charge at Old Trafford.
Koulibaly, with all his experience and ability, could be a solid option for Manchester United, if available at the right price.
As per the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are plotting a move for Ajax's £35million-rated defender Jurrien Timber. The 20-year-old looks likely to follow his Ajax manager to Manchester United and could prove to be a great signing in the long run.
kagadafi01
0
Man u fans waiting for Maguire to be better than any defender
Miceikopru
1
Any good defender at this particular moment will flop at United. even Varane is now playing like a second division defender Maguire plays good defensive work for England just as Pogba plays good football for France qnd Fred plays good football for Brazil the problem is with the Club not the players - even Rashford and Sancho just vanish in matches for no apparent reason
stimmingjohnny
0
Maguire GOAT 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐
Kucairsu
1
the headline seemed smth like, Eric Bailly is better than Maguire. every single fuckin' person knows that Koulibaly is better than slabhead
hezbdopty
0
Better than Maguire means nothing.He is useless
wisdomboy33
0
will d man utd fan's koulibaly mistake like at. man utd please go get he very good CB to partner with lindelof
yizbotuy
0
lets hope he does not come and end up like mag...mag was a crack too before
Cabacdeilr
1
every defender is better than Maguire..
LiverpoolMYfans
0
80mil wasted. Poor scouting by Man U [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
KHMMURU07
4
Only Karen English pundits like Gary Neville,Souness and Carragher co will put Maguire above Kalidou Koulibaly.. . . . . . Differences, Kalidou Koulibaly is worldclass in his postion where as Maguire is utterly overrated English Fridge.