Kalidou Koulibaly is courting interest from the Premier League once again with Arsenal reportedly watching the defender in action in Naples.
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal observers were present in Naples to watch Napoli players in action during their Europa League clash with RB Leipzig last Thursday. Arsene Wenger is interested in several players in that clash and could make moves in the summer transfer market.
The Gunners are thought to be looking at various Napoli players including Lorenzo Insigne and Kalidou Koulibaly as well as RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner. But, reports suggest that Senegalese defender Koulibaly was the main subject of interest for Arsenal at San Paolo.
Arsenal had been active in the January market, completing moves for midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. They were also heavily linked with West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans as Wenger has been looking for a central defender but failed to land him or any other target.
Arsenal are expected to be back in the chase for a centre-back in the summer, and it looks like Koulibaly interests them the most. The presence of Arsenal scouts also suggests that they could be looking further at the defender before making their move in the summer.
Koulibaly has been in top form this season amidst Napoli’s charge towards the Serie A title. He has played 24 games in the league, missing just one match and has a goal to his name as well. His consistent performances in the last few seasons have regularly linked him with a move to the Premier League.
Arsenal have been poor defensively and reinforcing the backline is an urgent need, especially with Laurent Koscielny showing signs of age catching up to him. With Nacho Monreal on the wrong side of 30 and Calum Chambers and Rob Holding still some way off showing that they can be regulars for the North Londoners, a centre-back is rightly a priority.
Arsenal have conceded more goals than some of the sides in the bottom half of the table this season and thus an able, solid defender could go a long way in transforming them into genuine title contenders. It now remains to be seen if Koulibaly ends up making his way to the Emirates in the summer.