da mrbet： According to reports in the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s top centre-back target this summer isn’t Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld, and Napoli giant Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the names on an eight-man shortlist that he and the club are said to be considering.
What’s the word, then?
da brwin： Well, MEN say that a “high-level source” at Old Trafford says that their scouts aren’t convinced that Alderweireld and are considering alternatives, with Koulibaly on their radar.
MEN report that the 29-year-old Spurs man remains an option this summer, but is not the preferred name on their shortlist.
The report adds that United, whose fans have urged their club to sign a right winger with 26 goals and assists in 2017/18 “before Arsenal or Chelsea do”, value the Belgium international at £20m less than their Premier League rivals’ £70m asking price, and they feel they perhaps could get more value for their money elsewhere with someone like Koulibaly.
How did the 26-year-old do during the 2017/18 campaign?
The Senegal international was impressive, and came so close to helping Napoli win the Serie A title before they were eventually beaten to the prize by Juventus.
The centre-back made 45 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing one assist, but he showed his defensive qualities and his ability on the ball throughout.
According to WhoScored.com, Koulibaly had an average passing accuracy of 91.2% in 35 Italian top flight outings and 88.8% in five Champions League appearances, while he completed 12 of the 14 dribbles he attempted in 41 games in Serie A and in European competition.
Would he be a good signing for United?
He certainly would be.
The Senegalese centre-back has established himself as one of the best in his position throughout the whole of European football since moving to Napoli, and his quality in possession would mean that he would be a big hit at Old Trafford under Mourinho, and he would finally be the solid partner that Eric Bailly has been crying out for.
The fact that he is good defensively – when it comes to tackling and making interceptions and blocks – is a huge bonus, but one worry is that he isn’t as strong in the air as he perhaps should be given his 6ft 5in frame.