Liverpool 'handed boost in Kalidou Koulibaly pursuit'

Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly only prepared to leave his Italian club for a team that can offer him Champions League football during the 2020-21 campaign.

A number of clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, have been credited with an interest in the 28-year-old, who is said to be valued at €110m (£96m) by his Serie A outfit.

However, according to Calciomercato, Koulibaly will only leave Napoli for a Champions League club, potentially ending Everton's chances of signing him, while Spurs will also struggle to qualify for next season's elite European competition if the current campaign is allowed to resume.

Liverpool are also believed to be in the hunt for the Senegal international, though, and the report claims that the centre-back would be open to a switch to the reigning European champions.

Koulibaly, who has been restricted to just 15 Serie A appearances this season due to injury, is allegedly wanted by Jurgen Klopp's team to play alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of their defence.

The former Metz youngster's current deal with Gennaro Gattuso's side is due to run until the summer of 2023.