Pochettino should join Arsenal and Chelsea in race for Kalidou Koulibaly

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Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly wanted by Premier League clubs.

According to The Mirror, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all considering moves for Napoli’s star defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.

Koulibaly, 26, started out with Metz in France before heading to Belgium with Genk, developing into a top centre back before heading to Napoli in 2014 to play under Rafael Benitez.

The Senegal international has been a sensation for Napoli, becoming one of Europe’s top centre backs, impressing with his blend of size, speed and strength, as well as his reading of the game and his ability on the ball.

Koulibaly is the complete package at centre back, and given that he is allegedly lining up a move to the Premier League, Arsenal and Chelsea are thought to be keen, as are Manchester United, who now have ex-Genk scout Roland Janssen at the club.

If those three clubs are pursuing Koulibaly, then Tottenham Hotspur should also be weighing up their own move, given question marks over the future of defender Toby Alderweireld.

With Alderweireld yet to sign a new contract, and a £25million release clause to be activated in 2019, Spurs may be tempted to cash in this summer, which may force Mauricio Pochettino to land a replacement to compete with Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen.

Koulibaly’s alleged willingness to move on this summer could be appealing, and whilst Spurs may need to break their transfer record to land him, he would be one of a select number of defenders who could truly replace Alderweireld.

Beating top Premier League rivals to a major signing would also prove that Spurs can still be an attractive proposition even if Alderweireld moves on, and it may take a signing like Koulibaly to ease fan fears should the Belgian star leave Spurs this summer.