Analysis: Barcelona’s interest in Kalidou Koulibaly must advance soon
In an emergence of recent reports, Barcelona have been linked with a transfer for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. Here’s why their interest in him makes sense in all ways.
The summer transfer window is barely over and Barcelona are already plotting moves for the winter transfer window which is almost three months away. The Catalans signed Clement Lenglet, Arturo Vidal, Malcom and Arthur in the months of July and August, but it seems like Ernesto Valverde is not done yet.
The former Athletic Bilbao manager’s future has come under the cosh very recently after his Barcelona side started enduring a run of difficult results in La Liga Santander. It was anyway an unconvincing start from the defending champions of Spain in the top-flight league, but they somehow managed to scrape a few results just like that.
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After their 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona got a first win after three games. However, there were the defensive frailties that were exposed off the Catalans who shipped in two goals rather cheaply. And it wasn’t a first as Valverde’s men have been defensively sloppy quite often this season.
As a result and in hope of turning around the fortunes of a lacklustre defence, Ernesto Valverde asked Barcelona’s scouts to have a look at Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly, as per Mundo Deportivo. The centre back was on the radar of Manchester United in recent times but eventually signed an extension with his current club following Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival.
But Barcelona are considering an approach worth 65 million euros, which will be a hot price and a one that the Italian giants are looking for.
Analysis
It does look like Barcelona will eventually go for a central defender who might ultimately replace Gerard Pique. The former Spain international is passing 30 and starting to show signs of ageing. Moreover, he is not a Sergio Ramos or a Carles Puyol who can carry on until 34 or 35 years of age.
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Hence, finding an understudy will be necessary. Sadly for the Catalans, they will have to look out of their comfort zone as their academy, La Masia, has not been very productive in recent years. Kalidou Koulibaly is 27 years old and snugly has five more years of football ahead of him. Splashing out 65 million euros for him is by no means a transcendent deal, but one which Barcelona need to formulate now.