Juventus are once again being linked with a move for defender Kalidou Koulibaly at the direct suggestion of coach Max Allegri. The Senegalese International was the subject of a bid from the Bianconeri last summer, when he was into the last year of his contract with Napoli. Despite contacts between the two parties, Koulibaly opted to move to the Premier League, later saying he could never wear the Juve shirt, out of respect for the Partenopei.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Juve are once again looking to Koulibaly and cite the defenders poor first season with Chelsea as a prospective reason for his return to Italy. The newspaper writes that the defenders name is ‘back on the Bianconeri agenda at the direct suggestion of Allegri, who has not shelved his intention to bring him to Turin.‘
Gazzetta claim that for the moment, it is ‘just an idea and a strong suggestion but it could soon become something more,’ suggesting that Allegri is not ready to give up on getting the veteran centre-back to move to Turin. The Juve coach wants a new defender to play alongside Bremer, who is more used to playing on the left-side of a back three, and has ttherefore asked Juve to take the opportunity to sign Koulibaly, if there is a chance.
Allegri is reportedly playing on the chance that ‘Kalidou is disgruntled at Chelsea‘, having made a €38m move to Stamford Bridge last summer, but having already been branded a ‘flop‘ by the English press. The idea is to pick up Koulibaly at a discount, similar to how Inter bough back Romelu Lukaku on a loan deal, making it an affordable sum, with no obligation to sign him outright.
Gazzetta suggest that the defender would need to agree a reduction in salary to make the move happen, and claim that there has already been contact between Allegri and the player, through an informal phone call, in which ‘Allegri would have reiterated to Koulibaly his desire to coach him in Turin.’
