KALIDOU KOULIBALY will not be making a big-money move to the Premier League this month despite being watched by Manchester United.
Koulibaly, 28, has been tracked heavily by United for the past year while Chelsea have also been monitoring his situation at Napoli.
But the defender expects to remain with the Serie A club at least until the summer.
United made an approach to sign the Senegal star last summer but found Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis unwilling to do business.
The Red Devils therefore paid a world-record fee to sign Leicester defender Harry Maguire, who was made club captain following Ashley Young’s departure to Inter.
But a bust up between De Laurentiis and the Napoli players following the decision to sack Carlo Ancelotti led to hopes at Old Trafford that he might be available during the January transfer window.
Yet United found the Italian businessman just as hard to crack when they sounded out the possibilities of a mid-season deal so the club have ended their interest for the time being.
It is understood Chelsea also looked at the possibility of bringing Koulibaly in to add some steel and experience to their defensive options this season.
But they were met with a similar response by De Laurentiis and quickly moved on with their transfer planning, with a striker the main position they are looking to strengthen this month.
It is understood Napoli would still try and hold out for 100million for their star man.
Koulibaly still has three-and-a-half years left to run on his current deal in Naples after signing an extension in September 2018.
The defender has kept six clean sheets in 20 appearances this season but has not played since December 14 due to a thigh problem.
