Scouting Report on Arsenal Transfer Target Kalidou Koulibaly

Having officially secured the signature of Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, Arsene Wenger and Arsenal are now moving on to other targets. According to Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph, a centre-back is next on the agenda—with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly atop the list.

The need for a new defender is obvious. Although Laurent Koscielny has excelled as the club’s first-choice centre-back, neither Per Mertesacker nor Gabriel Paulista convinced last season as his regular partner. Mertesacker is 31 and has just one year remaining on his Arsenal contract, while Gabriel appears too impetuous and volatile to be relied upon. Calum Chambers is on the books, but he lacks the requisite experience to play week in and week out.

Koulibaly, however, could be the man to play alongside Koscielny. Although Gonzalo Higuain’s goals made him Napoli’s most eye-catching performer, Koulibaly’s contribution at the back was arguably equally vital. The team conceded just 32 goals in their 38 Serie A games, and Koulibaly has been hailed as integral to the team’s success. 

It was not always thus. When he first arrived in Naples back in 2014 as a …

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