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Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer – and ESPN pundit Steve Nicol has urged his old side to lure the African ace to Anfield, labelling the decision to potentially sign him as a “no brainer”.
Koulibaly, 29, was strongly linked with numerous Premier League clubs last summer but he remained at Napoli and is still a key part of Gennaro Gattuso’s side. This season, he has clocked up 31 appearances in all competitions.
He has only missed matches through injury, a positive test and suspension – failing to play in nine games in total. Ian McGarry has claimed on The Transfer Window podcast that Liverpool have made an offer of £34million to sign Koulibaly.
Nicol, who played 468 times for Liverpool in 13 years between in 1981 and 1994, has urged Liverpool to sign the defender this summer. He labelled a move to sign Koulibaly, who has 43 caps for Senegal, as an absolute no-brainer.
“This is an absolute no-brainer. You go and get Koulibaly because they don’t have anybody else anyway. Matip cannot play two games on the trot, so it’s an absolute no-brainer,” Nicol said. “He is big and strong, he can play, he has still got pace.”
TBR’s view – Koulibaly is good, but 30 in June
Liverpool’s squad is beginning to age. When Jurgen Klopp joined, he inherited a squad that were mainly in their prime. But now, a whole host of Liverpool players are entering their thirties and younger players are required.
Indeed, Koulibaly is set to turn 30 in June. At that point, his valuation will become a lot cheaper and a move of £34million would be excellent business. But do Liverpool really want a player that is only going to get worse as he gets older?
They have also been linked with RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate – and he would be a much better move long-term, even if he might not be as good as Koulibaly straight away.
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