Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has become Barcelona’s first choice to reinforce the defence over the summer, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The centre-back has been earmarked as the future captain once Lorenzo Insigne leaves as a free agent for Toronto FC, especially as Dries Mertens is also coming to the end of his contract and there is no guarantee that will be renewed.
However, Koulibaly is also the second most valuable player at the club after Victor Osimhen and could be sold to raise funds for a revamped squad.
The Senegal international’s contract runs to June 2023 and the Gazzetta dello Sport claims Barcelona are prepared to offer him a huge pay increase with a deal to 2026.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis has rejected bids of over €100m before for Koulibaly, with interest from Manchester United, PSG, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
However, things have changed at the club and Napoli seem to have decided nobody is safe on the transfer market, especially as he is trying to cut costs and offer lower wages to everyone on their contract extensions.
Il #Napoli non molla per lo scudetto, ma è a fine ciclo: contatto tra #Koulibaly e il #Barcellona e #FabianRuiz… https://t.co/WMakJSjHk0 pic.twitter.com/WkICZsGOQu
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) March 8, 2022
One of the best defenders in this generation. It’d pain to see him go as a Napoli fan but I think it’s only fair. A defender like him deserves to see european silverware.
@setters then he has to go elsewhere not Farsa
I have a feeling of a surprise destination should Juve sell MDL..