Manchester United made a €30m bid for Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, with the player keen on the move.
That’s according to journalist Carlo Nesti, who says the offer was rejected by Napoli supremo Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Manchester United are known to be on the hunt for a new central defender this summer as they want a long-term partner for Harry Maguire.
Raphael Varane is the one they’ve settled on, having agreed on a deal with Real Madrid to bring the Frenchman to Old Trafford after years of rumours about a move.
That deal is yet to be finalised but is thought to be done, with Varane having said goodbye to Madrid and his teammates.
Before it was wrapped up, though, Manchester United were linked to several other centre-backs around Europe, including Koulibaly.
Like Varane, he’s regularly been linked with a move to Old Trafford for years, and according to Nesti, there was another attempt this summer.
“Luciano Spalletti is convinced of the goodness of the staff at his disposal and has accepted with conviction the Aurelio De Laurentiis’ proposal,” Area Napoli report him saying.
“For the coach, however, there are two thorns to face and overcome. The first concerns Kalidou Koulibaly. Manchester United have offered €30m to Napoli.
“Aurelio De Laurentiis said no to the proposal of the English, but the footballer said he was open to the possibility of going to play at such a prestigious club.
“There could be some new assaults on Napoli for the Senegalese.”
