Manchester United great Sir Alex Ferguson has met with Napoli defender Kalidou Kouliably, it has been revealed.

The conversation allegedly took place last summer when the Old Trafford giants were in hot pursuit of the Napoli centre-back.

United ended up giving up on attempting to sign the 28-year-old, who wanted Champions League football this season, and landed £89million Harry Maguire from Leicester City instead.

Foot Mercato repots Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is now open to selling the centre-back for less than his previous £85million valuation.

The report claims the Serie A giants could sell for a fee of around £65million.