Liverpool reportedly preparing €75m offer to sign Serie A defender in January | OneFootball

Liverpool are reportedly preparing to offer up to €75m to sign Napoli central defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the January transfer window to bolster their defensive options.

According to Arena Napoli, as transcribed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are interested in signing Koulibaly in January and are ready to match Napoli’s demands for him.

The report claims that Napoli want a fee in the region of €70-75m, which Liverpool are now looking to offer when the window opens in just over two months. Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG are also said to be keen on the Serie A defender.

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ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Liverpool could be better off avoiding a deal for Koulibaly and going in search of a younger defender. Koulibaly will be 30 by the start of the 2021/22 campaign, as will Virgil van Dijk, and that means that Liverpool could end up in a position where they need to replace their two starting centre-backs at the same time as they enter the final years of their careers at the top of their game.

It could, instead, be more beneficial for Liverpool to sign a younger defender who can be an option for the club going into the next six or seven years – rather than two or three. Whilst Koulibaly is an excellent defender, with a WhoScored rating of 7.34 in the Serie A this season, his age is a concern and paying up to €75m for someone who may only have two or three years left in his peak could be a slight waste – especially if they can use that money to get a younger option.

So, if Liverpool can find a centre-back in the 22-25 age range who they believe can improve their side it could be worth pursuing them over Koulibaly. However, if they are desperate for a proven defender who can come in and make an instant impact and are not worried about the long-term implications, Koulibaly could be a very good signing – as shown by his performances in the Serie A this term.