Juventus in meeting with Barcelona defensive target’s agent

Juventus have ramped up their efforts to sign Napoli defender and Barcelona transfer target Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.

The 31-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Partenopei and has decided not to sign a new deal with the Italians. It has opened the doors for other clubs to swoop in and sign the Senegalese centre-half.

Barcelona are among the clubs that have shown a strong interest in Koulibaly. Manager Xavi Hernande wants to sign another centre-back despite the recent arrival of Andreas Christensen on a Bosman deal.

Jules Kounde has been identified as the primary target, but given his high price tag, the Blaugrana are looking at Koulibaly as a more cost-effective solution.

However, Barcelona are facing serious competition from Juventus, who are trying to poach Koulibaly from under their noses this summer.

As per Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are currently in a meeting with Koulibaly’s agent, Fali Ramadani, as they look to accelerate their efforts to try and sign him from Napoli.

The Bianconeri’s urgency to sign the Senegalese international stems from the uncertainty surrounding the future of Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutchman looks set to depart Turin this summer with Chelsea and Bayern Munich vying for his signing.

It has forced Juve to step up their efforts to sign Koulibaly, with their sporting director Federico Cherubini currently in talks with the defender’s representative, Ramadani.

It could come as a blow for Barcelona in their hopes of signing the former KRC Genk man, as there has not much progress been made on the Kounde front, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

An experienced campaigner and a leader at the back, Koulibaly can be a good short-term signing for Barcelona. But as things stand, Juventus could pip the Catalan giants to his transfer in the current summer window.