Manchester United ready £84m bid for long-term defensive target – report

Kalidou Koulibaly Napoli Manchester United

According to Corriere dello Sport (via the Metro), United are finalising preparations and will bid for Koulibaly soon.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly desperate to sign a top centre-back to bolster a leaky defence.

United's proposed bid would be £84 million, which would make Koulibaly the most expensive defender in history.

However, with Koulibaly's release clause sitting at £133 million, Napoli are thought to be hanging on for a fee closer to that figure.

If the Reds fail in their pursuit, they will focus on other targets such as Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt and Leicester's Harry Maguire.

READ MORE...

Manchester United's failure to hire a director of football reveals the indecision gripping the club

What success – or failure – in the Nations League could mean for England