Man Utd and Liverpool ‘make contact’ over Kalidou Koulibaly as Man City eye swap deal

Manchester United and Liverpool have “made contact” with Napoli over the availably of Kalidou Koulibaly – but Manchester City could try and swoop in with a swap deal.

The Senegalese defender has earned a reputation as one of the best defenders in Europe, helping Napoli to the Coppa Italia this season.

But, with six seasons at the Serie A side under his belt, the Premier League sides have been sniffing as they look to strengthen in defence.

And the Sun have reported that the battle for Koulibaly’s signature has stepped up another level.

United and Liverpool have now both made contact with Napoli over the defender’s availability.

Man United and Liverpool have 'made contact' over Kalidou Koulibaly – but Man City could eye a swap deal

While City could use Nicolas Otamendi and Oleksandr Zinchenko in a swap deal for the £80m star.

The pair have not been able to become regular starters under Pep Guardiola this season – and the Italian side have reportedly also been in contact about them.

And the report states that this could pave the way to a £65m-plus player swoop by City for the 29-year-old.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking for a defensive partner to accompany Harry Maguire, who arrived last summer from Leicester for the same fee.

But the Red Devils were sent a message about Koulibaly last month by club chief Aurelio de Laurentiis.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport about his team-mate Fabian Ruiz, the Napoli boss said: "Fabián has three years of contract with Naples and Koulibaly two.

"I do not even consider an offer of 60 million.

“I do not need money. I see teams with three or four hundred million debt. I do not owe anyone anything."

Liverpool are thinking on the same lines as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his squad for their Premier League defence.

And the Reds made a £58m offer for the Senegalese international, who would play alongside European Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk.