Kalidou Koulibaly has revealed that he was keen to join Manchester United in 2019, at the time there were many rumours about the potential transfer.
Carlo Ancelotti, who was Napoli manager at the time, became key to changing his stance over a move to Old Trafford.
The 34-year-old defender, who is now cashing in at Al Hilal, has now spoken to ‘Zack en Roue Libre’ podcast. He looked back on when Manchester United came calling and put forward €100m for the centre-back.
He said, relayed by Corriere dello Sport: “Napoli received a €100m offer from Manchester United and rejected it. Ancelotti came and said to me: I came here to win the league. What do you want to do?”
Koulibaly revealed his response to the Italian, saying: “And I replied: I want to leave, why? He told me he knew about the offer, but that I wouldn’t leave otherwise he would resign the next day. I thought my time in Naples was over. I had given everything. Four years had passed, I could have had the contract of my life.”
The Senegal international claimed Ancelotti also invited him for a personal chat.
“That evening he called me and said, “Come to my room.” I arrived, he opened the door and said, “Ah, mon ami Kalidou!” He was speaking French.
“We were both in our pyjamas. I was shocked. A great coach like him welcoming me like that, in my pyjamas. I explained to him that I wasn’t happy, that I thought the president had disrespected me with the way he spoke to me.”
Bags packed for Manchester United
Adding more detail, the defender said he’d had his bags packed for a switch to Manchester United. Things changed when Ancelotti stepped in.
“I told Ancelotti that I adored him, but that my bags were packed and that I was leaving the next day. I had already booked a taxi for 1 pm.”
To this, the Italian firmly responded: “Don’t worry, everything will be sorted out tomorrow,” he insisted. The next day, around 12:30, he didn’t see me for lunch. He sensed I was about to leave, called me and said: I’ve sorted everything out, you’re not leaving, you’re staying with me, you’re renewing your contract.”
Manchester United may have landed the ex-Napoli man, if not for Ancelotti’s man-management.
At that point, Koulibaly was at the peak of his powers. Napoli were regularly competing for the Serie A title and he was key to their rise. As well as the Red Devils, a host of other major clubs were also linked with the centre-back.
Koulibaly joined Chelsea in 2022 but by then, he was past his best. Physical problems had troubled him and this led to his decline.
