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Liverpool are being linked with a big-money move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer. As reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, Liverpool are reportedly keen on the Napoli defender, with the Italians seemingly ready to cash in. A recent report from The Express, put his valuation in the £ 70 million region.
It seems everyone is keen on the player, who has previously shone in Champions League games against Liverpool.
Indeed, the idea of a Koulibaly and Virgil van Dijk center-back pairing makes for terrifying viewing.
But when it comes to who he prefers, it would seem Jurgen Klopp will always be a Van Dijk man.
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Kalidou Koulibaly during the UEFA Champions League group E match between SSC Napoli and KRC Genk at Stadio San Paolo on December 10, 2019 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by SSC NAPOLI / SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images)
Because, according to a report from Goal in 2019, Koulibaly was on the same shortlist for defensive recruits when Liverpool went after Van Dijk in 2017.
The report claimed that Liverpool had a four-man shortlist of ‘slam dunk’ signings to strengthen the club’s inconsistent defense.
Jerome Boateng and Aymeric Laporte were on that list, with Van Dijk the number one choice. Koulibaly was at number two.
In fact, the report claims that had Liverpool not managed to smooth over relations with Van Dijk’s former club Southampton in order to get his January 2018 move over the line, Koulibaly would have been targeted.
Now it appears that Liverpool might be looking to pair the duo together in what will be Europe’s most imposing center-back partnership.
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