United scouts to watch Koulibaly and 'new Scholes' this Sunday
Reports from Italy claim that Manchester United will have scouts at the Napoli-Cagliari match on Sunday to keep an eye on Kalidou Koulibaly and Nicolo Barella.
Manchester United will reportedly send scouts to watch Serie A targets Kalidou Koulibaly and Nicolo Barella on Sunday.
Koulibaly’s Napoli host Barella’s Cagliari on Sunday at the San Paolo Stadium, where United scouts will be in attendance to keep a close eye on both players, according to Italian daily Gazetta dello Sport.
Centre-back Koulibaly has been a long-time target of United, where he is viewed as a possible solution to their major defensive issues. With 51 goals conceded in the league this season, only one club in the Premier League top 10 has a worse concession record than the Red Devils -- tenth-placed Watford with 52 goals.
Reports in the UK in mid-April claimed that Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis would demand around £110 million for the Senegalese international, who is also a reported target of Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.
Soon after, Napoli coach Carlos Ancelloti told Tuttosport that he valued the 27-year-old at 150 million euros and assured that the club is in no rush to sell him.
However, with United’s owners having no issues splashing the cash on big-money signings in recent seasons, Napoli's chairman may be tempted to let Koulibaly go should the Premier Club be willing to meet their price.
Nicolo Barella: 'the new Paul Scholes'
With United looking set to lose Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and possibly Paul Pogba this summer, Cagliari’s Barella could be seen as an ideal option to strengthen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's midfield.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who has had an impressive season with Cagliari and made his debut for Italy in October, has been compared to United legend Paul Scholes by football agent Giovanni Branchini.
"He is very similar to Paul Scholes", Branchini told Tuttosport. “He is an extraordinary footballer and I really believe he could go to Manchester United this summer.”
Barella’s performances have drawn the attention of several top European clubs, including Inter, Arsenal, Chelsea, who have also been linked with young Italian midfielder.