Manchester United are reportedly ready to make Kalidou Koulibaly the most expensive defender in the world by parting with £90m for the Napoli ace.
The Red Devils are still seeking a commanding centre-back after missing out on a number of targets during Jose Mourinho's final transfer window at the helm.
Three names have been repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar and Joachim Andersen of Sampdoria also rumoured to be on their radar.
Despite Napoli's reluctance to sell Koulibaly in the past, The Sun reports that United are now ready to meet his valuation, which would see him overtake Liverpool's £75m Virgil van Dijk as the costliest defender on the planet.
Interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent top scout Jim Lawlor to watch the Senegal international in action against Fiorentina last weekend, it is claimed, and he was left impressed with the player's display.
Koulibaly has admitted to being flattered by the ongoing interest from the Red Devils, who already have Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof on their books.
Bailly is the player believed to be most at risk of being offloaded in the summer to make room for Koulibaly.