The prospective new owners of Newcastle United have contacted Kalidou Kouilbaly to be part of their takeover project, according to Foot Mercato.
As per the outlet, verbal contacts from the PCP Capital Partners Group, headed by businesswoman Amanda Staveley, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabian (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF) represented by the country’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), have apparently been made to the Napoli defender to make him a ‘cornerstone’ of the takeover project in the northeast.
The Saudis have also allegedly contacted the Serie A club to inform them that they will get ‘as close as possible’ to the price set by their president Aurelio De Laurentiis, which is likely to start at around €100m, which equates to around £89.6m.
Indeed, this is arguably an extortionate price for a central defender, but Koulibaly may be worth it based off his stats compared to other centre-backs currently at the Tyneside club so far in the 2019/20 season.
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The 29-year-old has averaged more tackles and key passes per game than Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and Jamaal Lascelles in their respective domestic leagues in this campaign, and also averages more passes per game and with a higher success rate (via Whoscored).
His superior ability both at tackling and passing could be key for the Magpies if they would like to kick on for the next term under potentially new ownership.
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However, the buying side are still yet to receive official confirmation from the Premier League with regards to whether their £300m deal with Mike Ashley will be approved, leaving this possible transfer up in the air at the moment.
Geordies, would you be able to sign Koulibaly if the takeover bid goes through? Comment below with your views!
