Out with the old and in the Kou with seems to be the message emanating from Manchester United.
The Sun reports that Red Devils’ defender Eric Bailly “is wanted by Sevilla” - and that could result in the arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, according to the Daily Mirror, which claims that the strapping central defender is top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s January wish list.
Bailly packing his bags?
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Bailly has long been linked with a move out of Old Trafford, and is reportedly being sought to bolster the back-four at Sevilla, currently third in La Liga and aiming to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
That would suit United, who have allegedly concluded that the Ivory Coast centre-back no longer has a future in Manchester.
The Sun warns that United won’t let Bailly “leave on the cheap”, given that the 24-year-old cost the club £30m in summer of 2016, but the Spanish press claim that Sevilla are willing to meet whatever price is demand.
Koulibaly courted
If the Mirror has its facts right then the man who could replace Bailly at Old Trafford is Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Citing La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the newspaper claim that United “are willing to splurge £100m to get their man”.
The Manchester Evening News also says Koulibaly is on his way to the city. Why? Because of a message sent to the Senegalese defender last week by Paul Pogba after Koulibaly was subjected to racist chanting during his side’s Boxing Day defeat against Inter Milan.
Koulibaly replied to Pogba that he would “see you soon bro” - and that, apparently, is clear evidence he will be signing for United before the month is out.
Manolas on the radar
With the focus still in Italy, the Mancester Evening News claims that United are “preparing” a bid for Roma defender Kostas Manolas. The paper suggests that the Red Devils are ready to meet his £34m release clause and will look to lure the Greek international to Old Trafford this month despite Roma’s reluctance to sell.
Since moving to the Italian capital in 2014, the 27-year-old has become one of the most consistent central defenders in Serie A, and Solskjaer believes he could be the man to strengthen his defence as United look to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
Poch wants £70m Maddison
Man Utd chief executive Ed Woodward has reportedly been in touch with Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino about taking over at Old Trafford in the summer and is ready to fork out £70m on Leicester midfielder James Maddison to lure the Argentine.
CaughtOffside boldly claims: “The 22-year-old very much fits the bill as a typical Pochettino signing, and the Tottenham manager is understood to eye him as the perfect player to play a ‘Christian Eriksen’ role in his United team.
“Eriksen himself is likely to be an unrealistic target as Spurs will surely not part with star players upon also losing their manager to a big rival. Maddison, however, is likely to be available for around £70m – a price Pochettino has assured United will be worth paying.”
