Liverpool are the new favourites to sign Kalidou Koulibaly after the world star was linked with a shock £70m move to West Ham United four months ago.
Back in January the Daily Express and Football Italia carried 'world exclusive' reports that West Ham were serious about launching an audacious £70million bid for Napoli star Koulibaly.
“The Hammers are prepared to splash money during the transfer window after briefly dropping into relegation places over the busy festive period,” The Express reported.
As expected the speculation proved unfounded as West Ham signed Tomas Soucek, Darren Randolph and Jarrod Bowen instead.
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Liverpool new favourites for West Ham-linked man mountain
Now Liverpool are said to be leading the race for the giant Senegalese star considered one of the top three defenders in world football (La Gazzetta dello Sport and Football Italia).
The defender is nicknamed K2 after the world's second biggest mountain. That would make Virgil van Dijk Everest and according to La Gazetta, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wants to create what would surely be the strongest central defensive pairing in world football.
West Ham are a massive club.
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Reds a more believable destination for £87m world star
The East Londoners have the second most season ticket holders in the top flight and are the 17th richest club in world football in terms of income.
They have signed and produced some world class players over the years.
But the new report linking Koulibaly with Liverpool makes a lot more sense, even to the most ardent of Hammers fans.
Napoli are reportedly prepared to lower their asking price of £107million to £87million.
The details in the report are a double blow to West Ham.
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Double blow for West Ham as deal includes reported target Lovren
That's because La Gazetta claims Liverpool would be favourites as they would also include Dejan Lovren as part of the package.
Lovren has been linked with a move to West Ham in the next window as his time at Liverpool nears a conclusion (TEAMtalk).
Hammers boss David Moyes is said to want the experienced Croatian with Winston Reid and Fabian Balbuena expected to depart.
According to La Gazetta - as translated by Football Italia - Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG are also interested in Koulibaly.
He turns 29 next month and is under contract with Napoli until 2023. So Liverpool will have to pay the money to get him.
West Ham's links with the defender ranked as one of the most outrageous transfer rumours of the year so far given the current ownership.
With the added financial consequences of the global health crisis it seems only the richest of the European elite will have any money available for transfers in the foreseeable future.
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