Napoli have taken a liking to Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate, according to a report.
The Serie A champions are expected to be in the market for a new central defender ahead of the 2023-24 season, as Kim Min-jae prepares to make the move to Bayern Munich.
The South Korea international was originally touted as a top target for Manchester United, but Bayern are believed to be preparing to trigger his £42.9m release clause within the next 10 days.
Kim has already given the green light to a five-year deal with Thomas Tuchel's side, and according to Corriere Dello Sport - via Football Italia - Konate has emerged as a possible replacement.
The 24-year-old has ousted Joel Matip to become Virgil van Dijk's regular partner in the heart of the Liverpool backline, although he was hampered by injuries during the 2022-23 season, making just 24 appearances in all tournaments.
© Reuters
Knee and muscular problems restricted Konate to just 17 top-flight starts, but he was an integral player for Jurgen Klopp when fully fit, playing the full 90 in 13 of their final 15 Premier League matches last term.
Liverpool are prioritising at least one more midfield addition after the captures of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, but the Reds are thought to be open to signing a new defender this summer.
However, with Konate still under contract at Anfield until 2026 and forging a reputation as one of Klopp's trusted defenders, Liverpool are unlikely to entertain bids for the ex-RB Leipzig man this summer.
The Reds paid €40m (£34.4m) to prise Konate away from Bundesliga giants Leipzig in the summer of 2021, and the Frenchman won the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield within a year of arriving on Merseyside.
Konate has scored three goals and provided one assist in 53 matches for Liverpool across all competitions, while also starting three games for France during their run to the 2022 World Cup final.
© Reuters
With a move for Konate deemed improbable, Napoli are said to have shortlisted several other possible successors to Kim, who only arrived in Naples from Fenerbahce last summer.
The report adds that Wolverhampton Wanderers' Max Kilman is also on the Partenopei's radar, although the 26-year-old may also be off-limits this summer if Nathan Collins completes an expected move to Brentford.
Leeds United's Robin Koch could be a more realistic option for Napoli, as the German defender is expected to head for the Elland Road exit door following the Whites' relegation from the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in Koch, but the Lilywhites have apparently turned their attention to Wolfsburg and Netherlands youngster Micky van de Ven instead.
Outside of the Premier League, Real Sociedad's Robin Le Normand, Atalanta BC's Giorgio Scalvini and Borussia Monchengladbach's Ko Itakura have also been mentioned as potential signings for the Scudetto holders.
