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Man Utd urged to dodge £85m Kalidou Koulibaly transfer and make two other signings
Manchester United have been linked with a transfer swoop for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Kalidou Koulibaly shows defensive skills for Napoli in Serie A
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been told to swerve the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly by his former team-mate Andy Cole. The verdict comes after Italian reports linked United with a mega-money raid on Napoli for the Senegal international.
According to Calciomercato, the Red Devils are one of several clubs in contention to sign the centre-back.
Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Real Madrid are also in the mix as Koulibaly looks to make the next step in his career.
However according to Cole, United should not be looking at Koulibaly because the kind of money that will be quoted is better invested in two other key areas.
“I would be surprised if Manchester United spend that on another centre-half - £85million,” Cole told The United Stand.
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“Everyone knows we need creativity. Another centre-forward and creativity in the wide areas.
“I would be surprised £85m or £90m on another centre-half when you’ve spent £80m on one centre half but nothing says he’s going to be better than what you’ve already got.
“All I want for Manchester United is to finish in the top four.
“Then we can really go for it and bring in some real, real quality players.”
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There has been speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson has even personally spoke with Koulibaly to try and convince him to move to Old Trafford.
But as Cole cited, the world-record fee splashed out on Maguire last summer means they are unlikely to be investing in another centre-back anytime soon.
Midfield is the area that Solskjaer is looking to upgrade.
He wants to bring in at least one player in the position this month, with Bruno Fernandes still the top target.
A loan deal for Marcos Llorente is also being eyed, while James Maddison and Jack Grealish are likely to be pursued in the summer.
Solskjaer has confirmed that he has the backing of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in the transfer market.
"The most important thing for me is we get the results sorted and the performances on the pitch,” the Norwegian said.
"But I know that we've got the resources, we've got the backing.
“If we need to go into the transfer market we are still up there so we're still in a good place."