---
title: "Manchester United: Red Devils set to make offer for Kalidou Koulibaly"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-red-devils-set-to-make-offer-for-kalidou-koulibaly/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Ward"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-06-22T20:20:28Z"
modified: "2020-06-22T20:20:28Z"
---

# Manchester United: Red Devils set to make offer for Kalidou Koulibaly

**After Steven Bergwijn opened the scoring for Tottenham on Friday, Manchester United were preparing for the worst.**

Bergwijn beat [Harry Maguire and David De Gea](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53087803) with blistering pace, before the Red Devils clawed their way back into the game with a penalty from Bruno Fernandes.

While this could be a minor blip, [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1299329/Manchester-United-transfer-news-Kalidou-Koulibaly-Napoli-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-maximum-fee) has indicated he wants to sign a new centre-back in the summer, and has identified Kalidou Koulibaly at the top of his shortlist.

Now, according to [Gazzetta dello Sport](https://www.gazzetta.it/), as per [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/man-united-club-request-big-name-defender-refuse-go-e80m/), Napoli have only received one offer for Koulibaly so far, which has come from the Red Devils.

Koulibaly has been linked to most of Europe’s biggest clubs at [some point](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/who-is-kalidou-koulibaly-defender-manchester-united-arsenal-chelsea-transfer-target-napoli) in his career to date.

It is fair to say the 28-year-old is one of the best defenders in the world, making 15 appearances in Serie A for Gennaro Gattuso’s side this season and featuring in 6 games in the Champions League – attempting 2.2 tackles per game, averaging 1.5 interceptions and completing a whopping 5.2 clearances on average in the European competition ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/90880/Show/Kalidou-Koulibaly)).

[\[freshpress-poll id=”305730″\]](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/[freshpress-poll%20id=%22305730%22])

Man United have shockingly conceded three more goals than [Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/goals_conceded) newcomers Sheffield United and ten more than Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Although [Maguire](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1299329/Manchester-United-transfer-news-Kalidou-Koulibaly-Napoli-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-maximum-fee) has been solid at the back, his partner-in-crime Victor Lindelof has never looked particularly convincing. Indeed, the Swede has been given a below-par [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/100008/Show/Victor-Lindel%C3%B6f) rating of 6.65 for his performances so far.

With [Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-utd-transfer-news-today-18318008) seemingly heading out the door in the summer, there is room for another veteran to take their place.

However, United are only prepared to offer [€80m](https://sportwitness.co.uk/man-united-club-request-big-name-defender-refuse-go-e80m/), which roughly equates to £72m, for the Senegalese defender.

Ed Woodward is unwilling to go any higher, which will not be enough to convince [Aurelio de Laurentiis](https://sportwitness.co.uk/man-united-club-request-big-name-defender-refuse-go-e80m/).

Clubs are operating in uncertain times, and the executive vice-chairman has made it clear [United’s summer spending](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/24/manchester-united-summer-spending-limited-warns-ed-woodward#:~:text=Ed%20Woodward%20has%20warned%20it,the%20financial%20impact%20of%20coronavirus.) could be limited as a result of the financial repercussions of the coronavirus crisis. As it stands, Solskjaer may miss out on Koulibaly when the transfer market opens.

***United fans, should Ed Woodward splash the cash to sign Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer? Let us know down below!***