On the latest episode of The Transfer Window Podcast, Duncan Castles and Ian McGarry have been discussing some of the biggest deals that could happen in the summer transfer window.
One topic of conversation on the recent episode was the future of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese international has been linked with a move away from the Serie A side this summer, and it seems as if Castles believes that a move to Manchester City is certainly on the cards.
Here’s what the journalist has to say about the 29-year-old:
“We told you in the podcast a long time ago that Gennaro Gattuso had been informed that his star player, star defender, Kalidou Koulibaly would be sold this summer. We also told you that Koulibaly had told friends that he thought the most likely destination for him to go to would be Manchester City. Obviously, Napoli spending €80 million on a striker [Victor Osimhen] has to be funded from somewhere, and the information I have from the Italian end is that that funding is intended to come from Koulibaly’s sale.
“So that should help accelerate the process of his move, most likely to the Premier League, [he’s] very much wanted by Manchester City. They have been baulking at the transfer fee Napoli are asking for the player, with numbers around €70-€75 million being looked for by Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli owner and chairman.”
TIF Thoughts…
From the sound of things, Napoli’s signing of Osimhen looks to have been funded by the likely sale of Koulibaly, so it will be interesting to see if Manchester City can agree on a fee with the Italian side. It has been previously reported that Pep Guardiola is looking to sign two centre-backs in the summer transfer window, and now that it is officially open for business, perhaps we will see the Citizens make an official bid for the former Genk man in the not too distant future.
Do you think City will sign Koulibaly this summer?
Yes
No
The £50.4 million rated man demonstrated his quality in his performances in the Champions League this season; averaging a superb 7.43 rating across his six appearances in that competition (per Whoscored), and perhaps his signing would help the Manchester side push on and challenge for the title once again next season.