Real Madrid have reportedly identified an African star as the long-term replacement for captain Sergio Ramos, but the LaLiga giants would have to fork out around €75 million to secure his signature.
In recent weeks, it has emerged that Los Blancos and Ramos have reached a cross-road in their contract negotiations, prompting speculation around the club captain's future.
The 33-year-old has reportedly requested a new four-year deal at an annual salary of €16 million (R262 million), which is at odds with Real's proposed two-plus-one-year deal on his existing salary.
As a result of the impasse, Ramos has been linked with a transfer away from the LaLiga giants and a move to the Premier League could be a possibility.
According to Diario GOL, Real have recognized that Spain's most-capped player of all time could leave the club, and have reportedly picked out Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly as his replacement.
Koulibaly currently plies his trade with Napoli in Serie A where has become one of the world's leading defenders, but would command a transfer fee of €75 million (R1.2 billion).
Should Real splash the cash on the 28-year-old, he would become the fourth-most expensive defender of all time, behind Lucas Hernandez, Virgil van Dijk and Harry Maguire.
