Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti wants Kalidou Koulibaly to remain at the club and is ready to offer the Senegal international the captain’s armband, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 30-year-old sees his contract expire in June 2023, but talks over a new deal at the club have led nowhere so far. Napoli want to spread his current salary onto a lengthier contract, but his agent has already turned down an offer from the club.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Spalletti met Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis yesterday and, among other things, he demanded the club to keep hold of Koulibaly.
Barcelona make contact with Koulibaly’s agent after Christensen deal
With Lorenzo Insigne leaving for Toronto, Spalletti wants the Senegal star to become Napoli’s captain from next season and is pushing for his renewal. However, if the Partenopei fail to reach an agreement with their star defender, they may be forced to sell him in the summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2023.
Spanish newspaper AS has recently reported that Barcelona have already approached the player’s entourage and that Koulibaly is open to moving to the Nou Camp. However, the La Liga giants have not reached an agreement with Napoli, who value Koulibaly at €40m.
La lista di Spalletti per ADL: in cima c'è Koulibaly nuovo capitano #Napoli #Calciomercato https://t.co/4pA7Bmchjq
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) May 17, 2022
40m for this guy is a bargain. Only defenders at his level right now are Van Dijk, Skriniar, Tomori and maybe De Ligt. Problem is Barcelona is in bankrupt
Literally give him whatever he wants. 4 of their 7 losses in Serie A, plus their blowout loss to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia have come when he didn’t play. Their best win without him, not including the Milan game that should have been a draw, was to Bologna. They are average at best without him and if they let him go they will not finish in the top five next year. He should get whatever he wants and should be completely untouchable.
Spot on Sal!