FC Barcelona are in advanced talks to sign star defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, according to reports.

After securing Ronald Araujo to a long term deal until 2026 last week and signing Eric Garcia on a free transfer from Manchester City last summer, the Blaugrana are in the market for another central defender given the advancing years of Gerard Pique, who is also picking up persistent injuries this term.

Due to this, Koulibaly has been made a priority signing by first team coach Xavi Hernandez according to As, who report that Barca are in “advanced talks” to land the Senegal international.

With his client’s current deal in Italy ending in 2023, Koulibaly’s agent Fali Ramadini has been contacted by Barca and asked not to agree fresh terms with Napoli.

Barca have been monitoring Koulibably, widely-considered one of the best players in his position in Europe, for quite some time, and he is viewed with good eyes in Catalonia for his “forcefulness and for his ability to get the ball under control”.

The 30-year-old’s speed, anticipation skills and aerial prowess are also highly-regarded, and many coaches behind the scenes at Camp Nou see him as the ideal replacement for 35-year-old Pique who has just one more season left on his contract

Source:https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2022/05/04/fc-barcelona-in-advanced-talks-to-sign-napoli-defender-koulibaly/?sh=7e4adae23a3d