Liverpool offer £36.7m for Kalidou Koulibaly snubbed
Reports claimed that Liverpool have had a £36.7m bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly which has been rebuffed by Napoli. Reports suggested that Liverpool’s offer falls some way short of Chelsea’s offer las week as Antonio Conte tabled £52.5m for the coveted ace.
The Reds need to bolster their back line this summer. Jurgen Klopp was keen to snap up Virgil van Dijk from Southampton. Amid tapping up accusations, interests were cooled and it appears that Koulibaly is now Klopp’s alternative target.
The Senegal international made 38 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A side last term. Napoli are desperate to keep their talented centre-back as Chelsea are also known long-term admirers of Koulibaly and were repeatedly linked with him last summer.
Conte needs a long-term replacement for John Terry who has left the club following two decades in west London.
Liverpool set to rebuff bids for Emre Can
Liverpool have no intention of selling Emre Can this summer as the German midfielder enter the final year of his contract.
The German midfielder’s future has been the subject of speculation but Klopp reportedly wants to keep him at Anfield. Juventus are among a number of top European clubs keen to secure his services but the Reds are determined to rebuff all approaches for the 23-year-old.
Talks over a new deal stalled last season but Liverpool hope to resolve the situation over the coming months. Can play an important role in the Reds securing Champions League qualification and Klopp has no intention of letting him leave.
Even if Can doesn’t put pen to paper on an extension this summer, Liverpool are prepared to keep him for the 2017/18 season which could run the risk of him leaving on a free transfer next year. Can is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup in Russia and will miss the start of pre-season training.
Speaking towards the end of last season, Klopp said: “I think it is no secret how much I like Emre. He likes the club and that is a completely normal situation.
“We are in talks and there is absolutely no pressure. It is all good. It is two partners with big respect for each other. “If we can keep good players that makes sense for development and he is one of these good players. I am quite positive.”
After shaking off the calf injury, Can’s form improved significantly in the second half of last season and the most notable contribution towards Liverpool top-four finish is the stunning bicycle kick at Watford that won Goal of the Season.