Newcastle United "in pole position" for Kalidou Koulibaly

Newcastle United are in "pole position" to sign Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly during this summer's transfer window, according to Italian journalist Paolo Esposito.

Koulibaly continues to be linked with a move away from his Italian club, and the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are all thought to be interested.

However, according to Esposito, Newcastle are at the head of the queue for the 28-year-old, who has a contract with Gennaro Gattuso's side until the summer of 2023.

The Magpies are allegedly nearing a change of ownership with a Saudi consortium potentially buying the club from Mike Ashley, leading to suggestions that Steve Bruce's side will spend big this summer.

"Juventus do not have the economic strength to buy Kalidou Koulibaly," Arena Napoli quotes Esposito as saying. "I believe he will go to the Premier League, where there is Newcastle in pole position."

Napoli are thought to be open to selling the Senegal international ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, although they will reportedly not be lowering their €110m (£96m) asking price.