Liverpool in pole position to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly?

Liverpool are reportedly ahead of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Senegal international is believed to be valued in the region of £96m and has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Serie A club in recent times.

Premier League leaders Liverpool have emerged as rumoured suitors for the 28-year-old and, according to Le 10 Sport, they are now at the front of the queue for his signature.

Koulibaly has supposedly indicated that he wants to join a club outside of Serie A who will be competing in the Champions League next season, possibly ruling Man United out of the running.

Madrid and PSG are said to have relented in their pursuit of Koulibaly in recent weeks, meanwhile, with the latter prepared to keep faith in Thiago Silva for another year by offering him a contract extension.

Liverpool already have Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip on their books.