Transfer Centre

Jurgen Klopp 'holds talks with Kalidou Koulibaly over Liverpool move'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 29 May 2020

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly holds a telephone call with in-demand Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly over a possible summer move to Anfield.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly made contact with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly over a potential move to Anfield.

The centre-back has been persistently linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United all rumoured to be weighing up a swoop for him.

A recent report claimed that the Premier League trio have been handed a boost with Barcelona and Real Madrid supposedly pulling out of the race for the defender, and Liverpool have now reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Koulibaly ahead of the summer window.

According to Le 10 Sport, Klopp has held telephone conversations with the Senegal international regarding a possible transfer, and Napoli have lowered their asking price for Koulibaly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The report claims that Gennaro Gattuso's side were holding out for €100m (£90m) for the 28-year-old, but they would now be willing to accept a fee in the region of €70m (£63m).

As well as Koulibaly, Klopp is also understood to have contacted Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore, who is supposedly a priority target for the Premier League champions-elect.