Liverpool are in talks with Napoli regarding a potential player plus cash deal for sort after defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegal international has been attracting interest from top clubs across Europe, but Napoli have remained firm in their stance that the player is not for sale. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea have all made attempts to sign the towering defender at one time or the other, but club chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has proven to be tough in negotiations when it comes to Koulibaly.

The Senegal international is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world and has caught the eye of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who is considering a partnership of Koulibaly and Virgil Van Dijk in the heart of the Reds defense.

According to former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder Gheorge Hagi, while he was asked what he thought about the Van Dijk and Koulibaly proposed partnership, the former Romania international stated that even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will find it hard to break down.

Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claim the Reds have started negotiations as they seek to finalise the move as early as possible.

It has been reported by some media outlets that the Reds want to include out of favour defender Dejan Lovren as part of the deal. This has not gone down well with Napoli president De Laurentiis who wants cash only. The president values Koulibaly at €100 million and is prepared to stick with his valuation.

PSG have also registered an interest in the player as they see him as the long term replacement for Thiago Silva. The capital club has a good relationship with Napoli, they signed Edison Cavani and Lavezzi in recent memory. But Liverpool have the financial capability to pull off this deal. If the defender moves to Anfield, it would be a dream partnership with Van Dijk at the heart of the Red’s defence.