Manchester United are plotting a world record £90million summer move for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, according to The Sun.
Interim United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer assigned his top scout Jim Lawlor to watch the defender in last Saturday's 0-0 Serie A draw at Fiorentina.
Sources close to Manchester United say Lawlor was impressed with the Senegal international, who also featured in Napoli's 3-1 Europa League win at FC Zurich five days later.
27-year-old Koulibaly admits he has been flattered by interest in him, saying: 'I am pleased that many teams follow me.
'But I want to demonstrate on the field I am at the level of the greatest and I want to show it in the future.'
United are ready to trump the £75m Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk - the current record for a defender - to sign their No 1 target, even though Koulibaly admits he might not be worth such a hefty fee.
'I don't know if I'm one of the strongest defenders in the world,' he said. 'But I always try to give my best.'
Solskjaer is expected to be named United's full-time manager, although the club may not announce it until the end of the season.
While planning ahead the Norwegian has has been working closely with Lawlor, whose own influence has increased since Jose Mourinho's sacking in December.
Acquiring a centre-back has been a priority since before Mourinho's exit and United have also been linked with Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld.