Liverpool want Sadio Mane to have a word with Kalidou Koulibaly.
If you’d thought these transfer rumours have died down, think again! The narrative of Kalidou Koulibaly has swung full circle and now Liverpool are interested in him again.
We’ve been told that Manchester City want to sign the Senegal international but Jurgen Klopp is on a mission to bring him to Anfield.
According to Get Football News France, Le Parisien have reported that Klopp wants Sadio Mane to ‘convince’ Koulibaly to join Liverpool.
According to the source, City are still favourites to sign the Napoli defender, although the Reds are trying their hardest to hijack the deal and change the player’s mind.
"GFNF said: “Liverpool are actively trying to convince the 29-year-old of a move, via their attacking talent and compatriot of Koulibaly’s, Sadio Mané. The Reds are trying to actively push hard to convince the player.”"
Sporting director Michael Edwards has already signed one elite player this transfer window, although the deal for Thiago will be cheaper than any move for Koulibaly.
Napoli will ask for €70m to €80m for their star man, and that seems like money Edwards doesn’t have to play with. Not even if he manages to secure sales in the next few weeks.
With a depressed market, Liverpool won’t be able to raise large amounts by shipping out players like Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi.
We’ve seen Liverpool buy in the last few weeks but the deals for Thiago and Diogo Jota have been financed by a low initial outlay, clauses and higher future payments to Bayern Munich and Wolves.
Liverpool definitely need another central defender. Dejan Lovren’s exit has left the squad with just three senior centre-backs, and we’ve already seen Fabinho tasked with slotting in alongside Virgil van Dijk.
With Joel Matip’s dodgy injury record and Joe Gomez’s historic bad luck, another senior centre-back would add extra security through this long and busy season.
Koulibaly would bring an extra elite player into the ranks and signal a serious intention by Klopp to attack the Premier League.
It’s not surprise that he’s asked Mane to ‘convince’ his national teammate to swap Naples for Merseyside.