Manchester United willing to make record splash for new centre-back

Manchester United are prepared to make Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly the most expensive defender of all-time in January, claims the London Evening Standard.

Jose Mourinho has made signing a top centre-back his priority next month after lamenting the club’s inability to fulfil his demands in the summer.

United have made a dreadful start to the season and defensive mistakes continue to undermine any progress made.

The Red Devils have reportedly already had two bids for Koulibaly knocked back by Napoli and the Serie A giants are holding out for in the region of £100m.

Liverpool broke the record for a defender when they splashed out £75m to sign Virgil Van Dijk from Premier League rivals Southampton in January and United are willing to go beyond that figure.

Napoli crashed out of the Champions League in midweek and that could boost United’s chances of prising Koulibaly away from the club midway through the season.

Not only would Koulibaly improve United defensively but he would also allow Mourinho’s side to play out of the back better.

United has lamented the fact his current centre-backs struggle to instigate attacks but Koulibaly has completed the most passes in Serie A since the start of last season (3696).

Moreover, only three defenders have won possession in the defensive third more times than Koulibaly (187) in the same time period.