Manchester United target Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly

Jose Mourinho is determined to sign a central defender, with Kalidou Koulibaly the latest name in his sights.

The Manchester United manager has been on the lookout for a central defender since the previous transfer window. However Ed Woodward decided that Toby Alderweireld was not any better than Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

United were also linked with Diego Godin, Yerry Mina and Harry Maguire but no player arrived. However there have been suggestions that he will receive £100 million funds for the upcoming transfer window.

The Daily Record suggests that Mourinho now wants to sign Koulibaly from Napoli, the Senegalese international, which in turn could spell the exit for Bailly.

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Bailly is wanted by both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, who expressed interest in the player to United in the summer. He has since fallen further from the first team under Mourinho this season, though he remains optimistic about the player’s long term potential.

Nevertheless, now that he has failed to be included in the last three Premier League squads for United, the clubs are willing to make a play for him again.

The Daily Express reports that as well as Bailly, Arsenal are also looking into the possibility of signing Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, though Chelsea remain the favourites should he move on due to his past relationship with Maurizio Sarri when the two were at Empoli.