Newcastle United leading the race to sign £62m-rated defender

Newcastle United are reportedly regarded as the favourites to sign Kalidou Koulibaly ahead of Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Senegal international has spent nearly six years with the Serie A outfit where he has developed his reputation as one of the world's best centre-backs.

In recent seasons, Napoli have shown a reluctance to sell the 28-year-old but it appears that they are willing to consider his departure with the current financial crisis.

According to Italian journalist Paolo Esposito, the defender could be available for a reduced fee of around £62m compared to the £100m price tag before the coronavirus outbreak.

Liverpool and United have been linked with the centre-back in recent weeks and the former are said to be keen on pairing him alongside Dutch star Virgil van Dijk.

However, Esposito suggests that the Reds may be beaten to the defender's services by Newcastle United, who are likely to offer a significant salary package to lure him to St James Park.

The Magpies are presently on the verge of a £300m takeover from PCP Capital Partners. An official announcement is likely once the prospective new owners pass the Premier League's Owners' and Directors' test.