Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly claims he was the subject of a failed club record £11million failed transfer bid for Kalidou Koulibaly.

The French-born Senegal defender, who has also been linked with Southampton and Everton, told L’Equipe: “When Rafa Benitez went to Real Madrid, I was no longer in their plans. Certain people wanted to see me leave but the president (Aurelio De Laurentiis) decided to keep me.

“He refused a 15million euros offer from Norwich. After pre-season, the coach (Maurizio Sarri) finally looked to me.”

The Canaries record transfer remains the £8.5million paid to Sporting CP for Ricky Van Wolfswinkel in 2013.

The defender was recently linked with a move to Everton, though talk of a transfer to Goodison was played down by his agent.