Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Kalidou Koulibaly

Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to land Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Red Devils are ready to jostle with Chelsea to secure the Senegal international's signature (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness).

Coast noted that the Blues have long been interested in the defender and that he would cost "at least €80 million (£71 million)" to prise away from the Stadio San Paolo.

Koulibaly has been a crucial figure in Napoli's challenge for the Serie A title this season, offering a commanding and composed presence at the base of the team. So it's no surprise to read some of Europe's biggest clubs are interested in signing the 26-year-old.

Football journalist David Amoyal was full of praise for the centre-back recently, suggesting Napoli would find it tough to bring in a suitable replacement:

Defenders with Koulibaly's skill set are rare. Physically, there aren't many who get the better of him, as he is quick across the ground, dominant in the air and effective at muscling opponents out of possession.

However, in a Napoli side that is dependent on keeping the ball, Koulibaly also plays an important role in the setup. His distribution from deep is outstanding, as the Senegal international regularly brings out the ball from the back and gets attacks going with sharp passes into midfield.

As OptaJean noted, the towering defender has this season chipped in with some important goals too:

None were more important than the winner against Juventus, as Koulibaly blew the title race wide open with a last-gasp header.

Unfortunately for the defender, he went from hero to zero in the space of a week, as he was sent off early on in Napoli's recent defeat to Fiorentina, handing the Scudetto initiative back to the champions with three games left to play.

Alessandro Di Marco/Associated Press

Even so, that error was a rarity in what's been an otherwise impeccable campaign for the defender. And given Napoli are set to come up short in their chase for top spot in Italy, a move to a big club in England may appeal to Koulibaly this summer.

At United, he could make a huge difference. Manager Jose Mourinho has never quite settled on a preferred defence this season. As broadcaster Georgie Bingham noted, United have been a little lacklustre at the back:

Koulibaly would be a costly acquisition, and that's understandable. Finding someone else who can offer what the Senegal international does would be impossible for Napoli, even with their bank balance significantly bolstered.

United would benefit from a defensive figure the rest of the back four can be built around for years to come. Koulibaly has proved during his time at Napoli that he could provide that presence.