Manchester United are in the market for a new defender in the summer transfer window.

It’s no secret that Jose Mourinho wants to sign a centre-back this summer. The Portuguese identified defence as a key area of improvement for the Red Devils and splashed £19m to sign Porto full-back, Diogo Dalot, earlier in the window. Dalot will provide competition on both flanks, but Mourinho wants a world-class option in the heart of defence.

Victor Lindelof has failed to oust Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in the starting line up at Old Trafford. Eric Bailly has also struggled to convince the former Chelsea boss that he can be the main man in the back four. Therefore, United have targeted Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld. However, Daniel Levy wants upwards of £55m for their star defender.

Instead, United should turn their attention to the Serie A and launch an ambitious bid for Napoli stopper – Kalidou Koulibaly. Valued at £54m by Transfermarkt, the Senegal international has emerged as one of the world’s best defenders since joining from Genk back in 2014. He made 35 appearances in the Serie A as Napoli narrowly missed out on the title.

Not since Nemanja Vidic have United had a defender of Koulibaly’s stature. Standing at 6ft 4in, the 27-year-old is man mountain, extremely strong in the tackle and brilliant in the air. He is also a considerable threat from set-pieces, scoring five goals last year – only Lazio’s Stefan de Vrij scored more goals from the back in Serie A.

He would be difficult to prise from Naples, but if United are serious about challenging Manchester City for the title, Mourinho needs to bring him to England.

Manchester United fans, thoughts?