Barcelona reach personal agreement with Napoli defender

Barcelona’s search for defensive reinforcements for the upcoming summer transfer window has seemingly led them to Napoli, with Kalidou Koulibaly emerging as a target.

That is according to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Mundo Deportivo), who claim that Xavi Hernandez has identified the Senegalese international as a key transfer target for the upcoming window.

In fact, the report goes a step further and claims that Barça have already agreed personal terms over a four-year deal with the 30-year-old. However, negotiations with Napoli could prove tricky as they will demand a sizeable fee for his services.

Koulibaly has been with the Partenopei since 2014 and has grown into one of the most reliable operators in the position in Serie A. His contract with the club stands to expire at the end of the 2022/23 season, however and has shown no willingness to sign a new deal.

With Koulibaly set to enter the final year of his contract, Barça have seemingly made their move for him, with his agent, Fali Ramadani reportedly holding talks with club president Joan Laporta recently.

It is claimed that the Blaugrana have tabled a four-year contract offer until the summer of 2026 to the Napoli mainstay, which he finds agreeable. However, negotiating a transfer fee with the Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis will be a challenge.

The Serie A club supremo has previously rejected offers of around €70 million from the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain and will again demand a significant sum, despite the defender being on the verge of entering the final year of his contract.

Barcelona are already closing in on the capture of Andreas Christensen from Chelsea on a free transfer. However, adding another centre-half of Koulibaly’s quality, proven pedigree and leadership qualities would be a great move. Whether a move for the 30-year-old materialises remains to be seen.