Celtic hopes dented as Norwich make £8.8m bid for Southampton defensive target

Napoli reportedly want more than the £8.8m Norwich City have bid for Kalidou Koulibaly

SOUTHAMPTON could up their pursuit of Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk after Norwich made a rival bid for alternative defensive target Kalidou Koulibaly today.

 

The Canaries are said to have offered the Serie A side £8.8m for centre-half Koulibaly.

Manager Alex Neil has signed just four players this summer, with Youssouf Mulumbu, Robbie Brady and Jake Kean arriving on permeant deals and Andre Wisdom coming in on loan.

Koulibaly, 24, is reportedly seen by Saints as an alternative target to Celtic defender Van Dijk.

 

Dutchman Van Dijk is set to leave Parkhead after the Hoops failed to qualify for the Champions League this season.

"There is interest but right now just after the game, it's so difficult to talk about it," he said after Celtic's exit to Malmö on Tuesday.

"If this is my last game then it's the last way I'd want to leave Celtic."

 

Southampton are leading the race to sign Van Dijk, 24, but it is understood the Scottish champions are set on retaining their ace.

And the south coast club are therefore keeping their options open and could make a fresh move for Koulibaly.

 

The Frenchman joined Napoli from Genk in 2014 and made 37 appearances for the side last season.

Sky Sport Italia claim the Naples club want more than the £8.8m offered by Norwich and do not need to sell the player.