Liverpool make shock €60m, plus player offer for Koulibaly

Liverpool are proposing a €60m offer, plus a player for Kalidou Koulibaly, according to a Naples-based outlet.

The Italian media have been insistent that Jurgen Klopp is chasing the Senegal centre-back and earlier on Monday Corriere del Mezzogiorno claimed Napoli were ready to sell Koulibaly to the highest bidder this summer with Liverpool in pole position.

As per the article, Liverpool have already been in contact with Napoli to offer them €75m (£67million) to sign the centre-half, amid claims Klopp believes he would be a dream partner for Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the defence.

Sport Witness suggest the Italian press are simply trying to drum up interest in the player, but Napoli Magazine, has said Liverpool are proposing a €60m offer, plus a player for Koulibaly.

The player in question is believed to be bit-part striker Divock Origi.

The Belgium striker, who sealed the Reds’ Champions League glory last season, has not had too much game time this season under Klopp.

In fact the striker has made just six Premier League and Champions League starts all season, and per the source he could be “interesting” for Napoli.

Apparently the 25-year-old is looking for a bigger role to play and the outlet suggest “possible developments in the coming days”.

Napoli are believed to be insistent that they get close to €100m for their prized asset, but Corriere del Mezzogiorno thinks a €75m offer would be enough to seal the deal.

With that in mind €60m, plus Origi, who is under contract for four more years, seems a very generous offer, if proved correct.

Klopp already has Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren as options to partner Van Dijk in the starting line-up, though it was reported earlier this year that Matip could be allowed to move on should a deal for Koulibaly be secured.

Koulibaly was arguably the best player on the pitch as Liverpool slipped to a 2-0 Champions League defeat away to the Italians back in September and Klopp cannot failed to have been impressed.

The Reds had been chasing a deal for Diego Carlos, but the Brazilian defender has stated his intentions to remain with Sevilla, saying: “I am clear that coming to Sevilla is already taking a very big step.”