Barcelona boss Xavi is ‘lining up a move for Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly if they fail to land main target Jules Kounde’… and the Senegalese defender could be available for a cut-price free
- Barcelona have identified Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly as a possible target
- Xavi’s priority is to sign Jules Kounde but Koulibaly could be a cheaper option
- The Senegal international is entering the final year of his contract at Napoli
- The Italian side are willing to sell the player this summer but only outside Serie A
Barcelona have identified Napoli centre-back Kalidou Kouliably as a potential alternative to Jules Kounde this summer, should the Catalan giants fail to bring in their primary target.
The Senegal international is thought to be open to a move to the Nou Camp, and with Barca still crippled by their own financial crisis, he represents a far more appealing prospect, according to Diario Sport.
There is also the fact that Barca are not the only side bidding for Kounde, and Chelsea are thought to be strong suitors after reports that new owner Todd Boehly is prepared to offer Thomas Tuchel £200million and six new signings.
Xavi’s main target is Jules Kounde but he could move for Kalidou Koulibaly if he is priced out
Koulibaly wants to leave Napoli, but he is limited in his options because the Italian side are only prepared to part with their man to a club outside of Serie A.
However, the player is entering the final year of his contract and Gli Azzurri will want to get some money for the defender this summer, rather than watch him leave for nothing in 2023.
The 30-year-old was reportedly trying to engineer a £30 million move to Barcelona earlier this month, whilst Chelsea and fellow Italian giants Juventus expressed interest.
Koulibaly has played 317 times for the Italian side since arriving from Genk for £6.98m in 2014
Both Chelsea and Barca want Kounde
But Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has since informed the club of his plan to resign should they sell Koulibaly, according to Sport via Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.
The Senegalese centre-back remains one of the most experienced members of Spalletti’s squad in Naples, having played at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for eight years