MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 23:40:01| >> :120:3775:3775:

Napoli 'eye Samuel Umtiti as Kalidou Koulibaly replacement'

Napoli 'eye Umtiti as Koulibaly replacement'
© Reuters
Napoli view Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti as the perfect replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, according to a report.

Napoli have reportedly identified Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti as the perfect replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly should the Senegalese move on in the near future.

Koulibaly is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in world football, and the likes of Barca, Real Madrid and Manchester City continue to be linked with his services.

Napoli have thus far resisted all interest in the 28-year-old, who is believed to have had a release clause in the region of £110m inserted into his current deal.

However, according to reports in Spain, the Italian giants are putting a plan in place should Koulibaly depart, with Umtiti viewed as the ideal replacement for the former Metz youngster.

Umtiti, who is in the latter stages of his recovery from a foot injury, has fallen behind Clement Lenglet in the pecking order at Camp Nou after a loss of form.

The Frenchman was strongly linked with a move away from Ernesto Valverde's side over the summer but ultimately remained with the club beyond the European transfer deadline.

ID:375110: cacheID:375110:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2336:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Luis Suarez in action with Inter Milan's Stefan de Vrij in the Champions League on October 2, 2019
Read Next:
Barcelona 'failed with swoop for De Vrij'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!