Aston Villa and Newcastle in 5 to sign £30m star as club pursue exit target

Napoli are looking for Kalidou Koulibaly replacement as they feel he wants to leave now amid interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle United but who else could sign the defender?

Koulibaly has spent the last eight years with the Serie A side after moving to Italy from KRC Genk. The Azzurri simply paid €6.5m (£5.5million) for the Senegalese star under former manager Rafa Benitez, aged 23. A price that has proven to be a bargain after 317 returned performances.

The 60-cap international also helped Napoli win their first silverware in six years with the 2020 Coppa Italia. While at Senegal, Koulibaly made his debut for the Lions of Teranga in September 2015 and also won the first-ever Africa Cup of Nations that February.

Napoli sense Koulibaly is now looking for an exit amid interest from Aston Villa, Newcastle

However, Mundo Deportivo Now Napoli report that Koulibaly has decided it’s time for a new challenge. As a result, Stadio Diego Armando Maradona bosses are now looking for a possible replacement for the 30-year-old, who only has a contract at Napoli until next summer.

President Aurelio Di Laurentiis is set to meet with Koulibaly’s adviser Fali Ramadani in the coming days to discuss his possible departure. Heaven Italy Also note that Napoli are leading the race to sign Leo Ostigard. But Brighton & Hove Albion are looking to bid more than the €3m (£2.5m) plus bonuses.

Ostigard, who has not played for the Seagulls since joining in 2018, could perhaps serve as Koulibaly’s replacement. Napoli’s apparent willingness to move away from the 6ft1 robot could also be good news for Aston Villa and Newcastle given their interest in Koulibaly.

But the Premier League rivals aren’t the only ones courting the Senegalese enforcer this summer. So who else could sign Koulibaly when Napoli sense the French-born star wants to leave?

Aston Villa saw Napoli Koulibaly bid as Gerrard spiked summer interest

Aston Villa have already seen Napoli turn down an offer for Koulibaly as Steven Gerrard increased his summer interest. Calciomercato.it Note that the Villans made an offer for the defender in May after De Laurentiis proposed a new deal that would have resulted in a pay cut.

The Azzurri boss suggested Koulibaly cut his wages from €6m a season (£99,000 a week) to just over €3m (£49,000 a week). De Laurentiis is working to cut Napoli’s payroll by around 30% this summer. So if Koulibaly rejects the deal, Napoli could look to sell him for €35m (£30m).

Newcastle are competing with Aston Villa’s interest in Koulibaly’s transfer from Napoli this year

Newcastle are also keeping tabs on Koulibaly’s situation with Napoli and could match Aston Villa’s interest in signing the defender. Calciomercato.it cite the Magpies as one of the Saint-Die-des-Vosges native’s alternative Premier League citizens should he leave Naples.

Eddie Howe is keen on potentially bringing Koulibaly to Newcastle as he is keen to bolster his defense at St James’ Park. But the Toon face a similar hurdle as the Villans as Koulibaly looks to compete in the Champions League for the first time since 2020.

Barcelona can offer Koulibaly his Champions League return next season

Koulibaly may return to the Champions League with Napoli next season after qualifying for UEFA competition under Luciano Spalletti. Barcelona could also see the Senegalese star rise to the top of European club competition with a move to the Camp Nou in the summer.

The Blaugrana are longtime admirers of the defender who Calciomercato.it plus Mundo Deportivo Note the club’s continued interest in this year. Xavi Hernandez would welcome the Lions of Teranga captain after finishing the La Liga season 13 points behind Real Madrid.

Tottenham in talks with Koulibaly agent over summer move to north London

reports from Sports Note Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with Ramadani to discuss Koulibaly’s situation with Napoli this summer. Spurs are keen to follow developments should Antonio Conte benefit from Enforcer leaving the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

However, Koulibaly’s number one goal would be to join Barcelona if his future doesn’t lie in Napoli. Xavi is also considering his services as the Blaugrana target a new left option. But the Catalan side are yet to hold talks with de Laurentiis over a deal.

Inter Milan could keep Koulibaly with a summer attack on Serie A rivals Napoli

Inter Milan may be able to keep Koulibaly in Serie A this summer by ambushing rivals Napoli. The Nerazzurri have already requested information on his situation, per Calceriomercato.itwhile the San Siro side are trying to bounce back after failing to defend the title against AC Milan this season.

Conte led Inter to the Italian top-flight crown in 2020/21 but they missed back-to-back Scudettos by just two points. AC Milan overtook Inter 86 points to 84, despite a much smaller goal difference. The Rossoneri ended the tenure up 38 to Inter’s up 52.

Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham are hoping a chance to prove themselves in the Premier League will outweigh Inter Milan’s interest if Koulibaly decides to leave Napoli. But Barcelona will prove to be the toughest test for any of his alternative potential suitors.

In other news, Newcastle gave hope of signing a “scary” winger as Liverpool pulled out