Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly’s response to Manchester United transfer links

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has responded to reports linking him with a move to Manchester United.

According to Goal, the Reds have identified Koulibaly alongside West Ham midfielder Declan Rice as a prime transfer target.

The report claims that the Senegalese international is seen at the club as the ideal defensive partner for summer signing Harry Maguire.

However, Koulibaly has played down speculation that he may leave the Serie A  and is focusing on qualifying for the Champions League with Napoli.

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“I’m used to it. So many [stories] come out each day, which say I’m leaving,” Koulibaly said as quoted by the Metro.

“Right now, my only objective is to win with Napoli. I don’t care about the rest.

“Our objective remains to beat the best teams in Italy and win the Scudetto. This season is more difficult because all the teams have got stronger and Serie A has become more competitive.

“I haven’t made the best start to the season. Juventus remain the team to beat. For our part, we must work even harder, improving our game to get closer to them.

“Our objective is to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage as soon as possible. We started well by beating Liverpool with a top performance. We regret not beating Genk, but that’s football.

“We must think positively and be aware that we can do well. My objective is to help the club and team win a trophy now.”

The 28-year-old is seen as one of the elite central defenders across Europe, and is valued at around £90m, which would mean United have to again break the world record fee for a defender to clinch his signature.

However, central defence shouldn’t be the priority for United in the transfer market at the moment.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to bolster his creative and attacking options initially with his side current void of ideas going forward.

Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku were not replaced in the summer and the focus should be on acquiring a goalscorer and an attacking midfielder inJanuary.

Solskjaer’s side have managed just one goal in their last three games against Arsenal, AZ Alkmaar and Newcastle and currently sit in 12th position eight games into the season.

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