Newcastle emerge as surprise contenders in race for world class defender

Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Premier League outfit Newcastle, reports French publication Foot Mercato. 

The Senegal international has been the subject of intense speculation surrounding his future in recent years regarding a big money move to England. 

Chelsea and Manchester United have both been credited with an interest in Koulibaly, yet the pair, along with French powerhouse PSG, have routinely been priced out of a move for the defender by Napoli's chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis. 

However, Koulibaly has confirmed his intention to leave the Naples club this summer provided they receive an acceptable offer for his service, though he isn't against staying with the Serie A outfit if no club stumps up the requested fee. 

And Newcastle, who are set to be taken over by a consortium headed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, are supposedly closing in on a move for the 28-year-old. 

Koulibaly and Napoli have been far from their best in Serie A this season, with the Partenopei sat seventh in Italy's top tier, yet that hasn't dented the former's reputation. 

That being said, Napoli have a worse win ratio with Koulibaly starting in Serie A this season (28.6%) than when he doesn't feature from the off (58.3%).