Napoli are seeking replacements for Kalidou Koulibaly as they sense he now wants to leave amid interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle United, but who else may sign the defender?
Koulibaly has spent the last eight years with the Serie A side after moving to Italy from KRC Genk. The Azzurri paid just €6.5m (£5.5m) for the Senegal star under former manager Rafa Benitez at 23-years-old. A price that has proven a bargain after returning 317 appearances.
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The 60-cap international additionally helped Napoli win their first piece of silverware in six years with the 2020 Coppa Italia. While with Senegal, Koulibaly made his Lions of Teranga debut in September 2015 and also won their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations this February.
Napoli sense Koulibaly is now seeking exit amid Aston Villa, Newcastle interest
However, Mundo Deportivo now report Napoli believe Koulibaly has decided that it is time for a new challenge. So, Stadio Diego Armando Maradona chiefs are now seeking potential replacements for the 30-year-old, who is only under contract in Naples until next summer.
President Aurelio Di Laurentiis will meet Koulibaly’s agent, Fali Ramadani, over the coming days to discuss his possible departure. Sky Italia also note Napoli lead the race to sign Leo Ostigard. But Brighton & Hove Albion want more than the €3m (£2.5m), plus bonuses, bid.
Ostigard, who has never featured for the Seagulls since joining in 2018, may perhaps serve as Koulibaly’s replacement. Napoli’s apparent willingness to move on from the 6 ft 1 brute may also serve as good news for Aston Villa and Newcastle amid their interest in Koulibaly.
But the Premier League rivals are not alone in courting the Senegal enforcer this summer. So, who else could sign Koulibaly, with Napoli sensing the France-born star wants to leave?
Aston Villa saw Napoli snub Koulibaly bid as Gerrard ramped up summer interest
Aston Villa have already seen Napoli reject an offer for Koulibaly as Steven Gerrard ramped up his summer interest. Calciomercato.it note the Villans submitted a bid for the defender in May, after De Laurentiis suggested a new contract that would have seen him take a pay cut.
The Azzurri chief proposed Koulibaly slashing his €6m-a-season (£99k-a/w) wage to slightly above €3m (£49k-a/w). De Laurentiis is working to reduce Napoli’s pay roll by around 30% this summer. So, if Koulibaly rejects the deal, Napoli may seek to sell him for €35m (£30m).
Newcastle rivalling Aston Villa interest in Koulibaly transfer from Napoli this year
Newcastle are also keeping tabs on Koulibaly’s situation with Napoli, and could rival Aston Villa’s interest in the defender’s signature. Calciomercato.it cite the Magpies as one of the Saint-Die-des-Vosges native’s alternative Premier League suitors, in case he leaves Naples.
Eddie Howe is very interested in potentially taking Koulibaly to Newcastle, as he strives to strengthen his defence at St James’ Park. But the Toon face a similar hurdle to the Villans, as Koulibaly wants to be competing in the Champions League for the first time since 2020.
Barcelona can offer Koulibaly his Champions League return next season
Koulibaly can return to the Champions League with Napoli next season after qualifying for the UEFA competition under Luciano Spalletti. Barcelona, too, could see the Senegal star take to the top European club competition with a move to the Camp Nou in the summer.
The Blaugrana are long-term admirers of the defender, who Calciomercato.it plus Mundo Deportivo note the club’s continued interest in this year. Xavi Hernandez would welcome the Lions of Teranga captain after finishing the La Liga term 13 points behind Real Madrid.
Tottenham in talks with Koulibaly agent over summer switch to north London
Reports by Sport note Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with Ramadani to discuss Koulibaly’s situation with Napoli this summer. Spurs are keen to keep on top of developments in case Antonio Conte can benefit from the enforcer leaving the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
However, Koulibaly’s priority goal would be to join Barcelona if his future does reside away from Naples. Xavi is considering his services, too, as the Blaugrana target a new left-sided option. But the Catalan side are yet to hold any discussions with De Laurentiis over a deal.
Inter Milan could keep Koulibaly in Serie A with summer raid on rivals Napoli
Inter Milan can perhaps keep Koulibaly in Serie A this summer by raiding rivals Napoli. The Nerazzurri have already requested information on his situation, per Calceriomercato.it, as the San Siro side strive to strike back after failing to defend the title to AC Milan this term.
Conte led Inter to the Italian top-flight crown in 2020/21, but they missed out on back-to-back Scudettos by just two points. AC Milan pipped Inter with 86 points to 84, despite a vastly inferior goal difference. The Rossoneri ended the term on plus-38 to Inter’s plus-52.
Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham will hope a chance to prove himself in the Premier League outweighs interest from Inter Milan if Koulibaly does decide to leave Napoli. But Barcelona will prove to be the toughest test for each of his alternative potential suitors.
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