Manchester United to step up interest in world class centre-back

Manchester United are to step up their interest in Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly this summer as head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks to find the perfect partner for captain Harry Maguire at the heart of the defence, reports The Sunday Mirror. 

United are looking to strengthen at the back, with Victor Lindelof failing to impress alongside Maguire and Eric Bailly's injury issues routinely flaring up. 

United have been courting the Senegal international for the last 12 months to no avail, but haven't given up hope that they can convince Napoli to sell one of their prized assets this summer. 

The Italian outfit have struggled in Serie A this season and currently find themselves mired in 11th place, with a poor start to the campaign costing Carlo Ancelotti his job in Naples. 

Koulibaly is believed to be open to a switch to England, but United would face stiff competition for the 28-year-old. 

Indeed, Premier League rivals Chelsea have previously been credited with an interest in Koulibaly, while PSG would jump at the chance to bring him to France as a possible successor to Thiago Silva. 

With a lack of European action a possibility for Napoli, Koulibaly would favour a move to a side plying their trade in the Champions League, which makes qualification fo the competition all the more important for United. 

Koulibaly would cost United around £90m, but the benefits would far outweigh the drawbacks should United, who are sixth in the Premier League following Saturday's 0-0 draw with Wolves, finish in the top four or win the Europa League.