United ready to rescue £100m Senegal target from racist hell at Napoli
the red card on the referee’s refusal to halt the game – and later gave his player his total backing when Koulibaly threatened to walk off the pitch if there was any repeat of the problem.
Napoli’s outspoken chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has called on match officials to halt games if players are subjected to racist abuse from supporters.
But right-wing politician Matteo Salvini, the Interior Minister of Italy, caused further outrage during the week when he urged Napoli not to walk off the pitch.
The issue has left Koulibaly devastated – and a move away from Italy now appears to be the most likely outcome.
De Laurentiis has ruled out the player’s departure during the January transfer market.
He has claimed to have rejected a £95million bid from United in the summer – a declaration denied at Old Trafford.
But, while United sources insist their interest in Koulibaly never went beyond making an enquiry about a valuation, they have made signing the France-born defender a priority.
Napoli are already resigned to losing a player who cost them £6m when he arrived from Belgian club Genk almost five years ago. But De Laurentiis is renowned for being one of the toughest negotiators.
And reports from Spain that Real Madrid also want Koulibaly could open the kind of bidding war the Napoli chief will relish.
United scouts have been scouring Europe and drawing up wish lists of players in every position.
They have been regular visitors to Portugal to watch Porto’s Brazilian star Eder Militao (left).
Old Trafford scouts were in attendance when Porto beat Nacional 3-1 last Monday.
Militao, 20, is five months into a five-year contract that includes a £45million buy-out clause.
Rivals Manchester City have also been monitoring him.