Manchester United fans may not have enjoyed watching Liverpool qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League last night, but Napoli's failure to make it through to the last-16 stages may mean that the Red Devils can strengthen their defensive options when the transfer window opens in January.
Napoli central defender Kalidou Koulibaly has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford for some time now and he showed last night against the Merseysiders that he is arguably one of the premier defenders in European football at the moment, so Jose Mourinho must target him in a few weeks time.
Often nullifying Mo Salah at Anfield, Koulibaly's classy defending style would bring a sense of solidity to the United back line, and with the Red Devils' progression to the knockout stages already guaranteed despite trailing 1-0 at half-time to Valencia in Wednesday evening's fixture then the Senegal defender could be lured to Manchester if the United hierarchy were to dangle the Champions League carrot.
One stumbling block United may face to sign Koulibaly is that Napoli are reportedly holding out for £90m for his signature, so that could potentially put off those in charge of the cheque books, but if United are to have any dreams of making the top-four in the Premier League and progressing to the latter stages of Europe's elite club competition then they have to be willing to pay the big money for a ready-made defender that would instantly improve them.
United fans are certainly urging their club to try and find the funds to bring Koulibaly to the club.
44 passes
7 clearances
5 blocks
3/4 tackles won
2 interceptions
2 aerial duels won
Would you take him at #MUFC? 🤔🤔🤔
