Paper Talk: Man Utd handed incentive to sign Serie A defender

Manchester United have been given a lift in their chase for a Serie A defender, while a Chelsea star has been upset by a derisory contract offer – all in Monday’s papers.

 

UNITED GIVEN LIFT IN DEFENDER CHASE

Manchester United are said to be determined to step up their efforts to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer, and could get him for a reduced fee.

United decided to call off their search for a new centre-back in January in order to refocus their efforts on landing their top target from Napoli at the end of the season.

Koulibaly was reportedly the subject of a £95million offer from the Red Devils in the lead up to the January transfer window but that move was knocked back by the Serie A outfit.

But Kouliably’s former agent has revealed on French TV that the giant stopper could be available for a slightly lower figure – although still a massive £87.5million, as reported in the Daily Mirror.

And he has also ruled out a move to PSG, who are also said to be interested in the 27-year-old.

Bruno Satin told Canal+: “PSG already have plenty of central defenders.

“Maybe he can play at No.10, they already play Marquinhos at No.6.

“But if Koulibaly leaves [Napoli], he will not come to PSG. His transfer could cost €100m (£87.5m).”

 

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AND THE REST

Chelsea face the prospect of losing Willian after upsetting him with a derisory contract offer (Daily Star)

Che Adams decided to stay at Birmingham City on Deadline Day because he is certain the club can make the Sky Bet Championship play-offs (Daily Mirror)

Stoke star Bojan’s move to MLS side New England Revolution is still on (The Sun)

Timo Werner has been warned against joining Liverpool because of the ‘struggles’ of Naby Keita since he moved to Anfield (Daily Mirror)

Huddersfield’s Elias Kachunga claims referee Paul Tierney refused to talk to his assistant over the award of Chelsea’s key penalty on Saturday (The Sun)

Leeds want to bring back old boy Aaron Lennon at the end of the season (The Sun)

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings fears retrospective action over an alleged stamp on Nelson Oliveira which left the Reading player needing facial surgery (The Sun)

Paul Pogba is still wanted by Juventus despite enjoying a lease of life at Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Daily Express)

Paul Pogba; Luke Shaw TEAMtalk

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed his commitment to Manchester United by rushing away from Leicester moments after their 1-0 win to fly to Paris and scout Champions League opponents PSG (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa have been linked with summer move for Swansea’s Dutch defender Mike van der Hoorn, 26, whose contract expires at the end of the season (Birmingham Mail)

Manuel Pellegrini hopes Jack Wilshere will be back training with West Ham in the next few weeks after last year’s surgery to correct an ankle problem (The Times)

Paul Heckingbottom has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Neil Lennon as Hibernian boss (Daily Record)