Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the three best centre-backs in world football at the moment, according to a report.
Koulibaly has been widely considered as one of Europe’s best defenders for some time now, as well as being consistently linked with a move to Old Trafford in past transfer windows, rumours that will likely re-surface this summer.
Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, who was supposedly signed ahead of Koulibaly last summer and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk are the other two names in Solskjaer’s three-man centre-back ranking, with the pair also being the two most expensive defenders of all time.
According to the Evening Standard, Solskjaer thinks very highly of Koulibaly, an opinion that will likely excite Man Utd supporters ahead of the summer transfer window.
Koulibaly has been continuously linked with the exit from Napoli. But the club has stood firm and they have refused to sell their prized asset. Real Madrid have also indicated interest in the Senegal international.
While it’s yet to be seen whether the Senegalese defender is a priority for the Red Devils, the prospect of signing a player of Koulibaly’s ilk will get football fans across Europe purring.
The Red Devils have also intensified their pursuit of Blackburn Rovers striker, Adam Armstrong. United have struggled with fire power upfront. Anthony Martial has struggled with injuries and only just returned to first team action. Top scorer Marcus Rashford is out and he is not expected to make a return till May. United signed Odion Ighalo on a six month loan, a move that represents a quick fix to the club’s strikers problem. Ighalo will return to his parents club at the end of his loan.
Armstrong, 23, has scored 12 goals for Blackburn this season and according to reports, Manchester United will make a move for the player in the summer.