Newcastle Transfers: McClaren To Activate £8 Million Clause For Giant Napoli Defender?
Will Kalidou Koulibaly bring some much needed aerial presence at the back?
With their aerial defensive frailties once again on display in yesterday's 1-0 defeat to West Brom, Newcastle United are today being linked with a new giant centre-half.
A report in the Daily Mirror (via Teamtalk) claims that McClaren is eying 6 foot 5 inches tall Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly as a January transfer window acquisition.
The 24-year-old Sengalese international has been in terrific form this season, helping Napoli become surprise Serie A challenges, currently sitting pretty only one point behind leaders Inter Milan at almost the half way stage of the season.
Reports suggest Koulibaly has an £8 million transfer fee release clause and Geordie boss Steve McClaren is keen to trigger it, pushing through a deal for the new defender to add much needed physical presence and competition alongside Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba.
Koulibaly had been a target for Norwich City over the summer but a switch to Carrow Road never materialised and he has instead flourished staying in Italy.
After two consecutive defeats, Newcastle find themselves 18th going into the New Year, two points behind safety with a tough away fixture against Arsenal to look forward too on January 2nd. They have the second worst defensive record of the Premier League season having shipped 34 goals in 18 games.