Below is the the list and cost of most of the major Central defender who moved last season:
Davidson Sanchez 42 million
Lindelof 35 million
Harry Maguire 17 million
Nathan Ale 22 million
Bruno indi 7 million
Rudoger 35 million
Bonucci 40 million
Antonio Conti 25 Million
Skriniar 30 million
Benatia 17 million
Juan Jesus 8 million
As you can see it ranged from straight loans to at the highest 42 million. No one cracked 45 million. So the notion that the guys I suggested 'all' might, is ludicrous.
I don't know if a 52 million Koulibally bid was rejected. I generally don't believe paper made up bod stories. But going by the list of actually accepted offers, its easy to see that its unlikely most will cost over 45 million.
And as the list above shows, you don't have to be from the 2nd division to cost less than 45 million. As a matter of fact, costing more than 45 million is the aberration.
People don't pay excessively for defenders because defending is often more about coaching, while attacking is more about talent.