Kalidou Koulibaly Reflects on Missed Move to Manchester United

Al-Hilal’s defender Kalidou Koulibaly has shared his experience regarding a thwarted transfer to Manchester United back in 2018.

Unfulfilled Potential at Napoli

Manchester United had submitted a substantial bid of €100 million for the Senegalese player. However, the move was halted when Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Napoli at the time, expressed his intention to step down if Koulibaly were to be sold.

Koulibaly recounted during an appearance on the Zack en Roue Libre Podcast:

“Napoli had an offer of €100 million from Manchester United, but it was turned down. Ancelotti approached me and said: ‘I came here to win the Scudetto. What is your desire?’ I answered: ‘I wanted to leave, why?’ He acknowledged the offer but stated that if I departed, he would resign the next day.”

Koulibaly went on to say that he felt his tenure at Napoli was coming to an end, stating, “I had given my all. After spending four seasons there, I was on the verge of securing the best contract of my career.”

A Personal Conversation

The defender shared a humorous yet poignant moment from the situation:

“Later that evening, Ancelotti invited me to his room. When I entered, he greeted me, ‘Ah, mon ami Kalidou!’ We were both in our pajamas, and I was taken aback. I conveyed my dissatisfaction, expressing that the president had disrespected me in how he communicated.”

Ultimately, the anticipated transfer did not materialize. However, Koulibaly transitioned to Chelsea four years later, in 2022.