Report: United rival City in ongoing battle for Napoli centre-back

NAPLES, ITALY - JANUARY 28: Matteo Politano of S.S.C. Napoli , and Lorenzo Insigne of S.S.C. Napoli celebrate with Kalidou Koulibaly of S.S.C. Napoli after he scores his sides 1st goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Spezia Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 28, 2021 in Naples, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Manchester United and rivals Manchester City are reportedly interested in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The latest comes from Italian publication TuttoMercaroWeb with journalist Niccolo Ceccarini claiming both Manchester clubs are in a battle to sign Koulibaly, as cited via Sport Witness.

Ceccarini notes that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Napoli could make the highly rated centre-back available for less than €60m. He says ‘watch out for United’ despite Koulibaly being on City’s radar.

The journalist adds that Nikola Milenkovic won’t be signing a new contract at Fiorentina, with the Serb previously linked with a switch to Old Trafford, as per The Express.

United need to sign a centre-back this summer and it sounds like the club’s scouting network is getting tabs on the Italian market.

City have already strengthened their defence with the addition of Ruben Dias, who was excellent against United in the EFL Cup semi-final tie between the two clubs earlier this season, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still searching for the right defender to partner his skipper.

Harry Maguire has not become the world class defender many hoped he would at United, but hopefully a top addition in the summer will change that.

It seems like Koulibaly has been on the market for years.

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