On the latest episode of the Indy Football Podcast, Miguel Delaney has been discussing what might come next for Manchester City following the decision to overturn their ban from the Champions League, suggesting that the Citizens could target Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer window.
The journalist discussed the financial implications for Pep Guardiola’s side following the decision earlier this week to overturn their ban, which also saw their fine decreased to €10 million (£9.1m). Delaney feels that this will allow the Manchester club to flex their muscles in the upcoming summer transfer window, suggesting that Koulibaly could be a potential target ahead of next season.
Here’s what Delaney said on the podcast:
“Well, I’d expect them immediately to go out and sign a top centre-half. Maybe Koulibaly, £80-£90m we’re talking about.
“If the ban was upheld, it was going to completely constrain their replenishment of this squad, whereas now, they can plan without any inhibitions, really. And so I think they’ll go out and sign a left-back and a centre-half, maybe a wing-forward as well.”
TIF Thoughts…
It is perhaps no surprise to hear that Delaney feels City will target a top centre-back in the summer transfer window, as Guardiola has already expressed his desire to sign two centre-backs. The Citizens have perhaps failed to replace Vincent Kompany, with Fernandinho featuring regularly as a centre-back this season, and the Manchester club having already conceded 34 top-flight goals, (ahead of this evening’s game against Bournemouth), which is 11 more than they conceded in the entirety of the 2018/19 Premier League campaign.
Would you like to see City sign Koulibaly?
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It will be interesting to see if City do target Koulibaly, with the Senegalese defender having been linked with a Napoli exit, but considering he is currently valued at £50.4 million by Transfermarkt, you suspect that he won’t come cheaply.