Liverpool are in ‘pole’ position to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli this summer and can meet Napoli’s demands for the defender.
That’s according to Italian journalist Vincenzo Morabito, who says the Reds are leading the race for the Senegalese star.
Liverpool are expected to target a centre-back and long-term partner for Virgil van Dijk this summer, having struggled defensively this year.
Reports in England have claimed they will not be making Ozan Kabak’s loan deal from Schalke a permanent one, opening the door for other names to be linked.
Koulibaly is likely to be among them, with Liverpool having been named among his suitors for at least two years and regularly last summer when it was also felt they would sign a centre-back and ultimately never.
It means they will undoubtedly been namechecked again this summer, particularly with Koulibaly seemingly pushing for a move away from Napoli.
And according to Morabito, they are at the front of the queue and can even afford to make a deal happen.
“Koulibaly and Fabian Ruiz are on their way out: if they were to be sold, two other high-level players would arrive,” he told Radio Marte, relayed by Corriere Dello Sport.
“There are concrete interests for both, but the post-Covid prices will be downwards.
“Liverpool is in pole for Koulibaly, and it is also the club that can satisfy De Laurentiis economically.”