According to recent reports, long-time Manchester City and Manchester United target, Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, will ‘eventually move to England’ because €70 million (£62.8m) ‘cannot be refused’ by the Serie A side due to their financial difficulties.
The reports by Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claim that, following a €180 million (£161.6m) spending spree earlier this year, Napoli now ‘need to bring in €150 million’ before the window closes, meaning that it looks increasingly likely that the defender will be on the move this summer.
Although it is only Manchester United mentioned in the latest report, if the story is to be believed, it seems likely that Manchester City will be keeping a close eye on the developments, as Koulibaly has been a long-term target of City boss Pep Guardiola.
It is reported that Manchester United are ‘willing’ to spend €70 million (£62.8m) on the 29-year-old, meaning that, should City really wish to bring the defender to the blue half of Manchester, they will have to match or beat United’s offer.
Having said this, Sport Witness also states that Manchester United’s name could be being used to ‘flush out interest from elsewhere’, most probably City.
TIF Thoughts…
With Guardiola stating that he would like to bring two new central defenders to the club this summer, and with the Spaniard having already signed Nathan Ake from Bournemouth, it has long been reported that Koulibaly is the one Guardiola wants.
Do you think Koulibaly will be a Manchester City player next season?
Yes
No
As such, it will be interesting to see whether there is a fresh offer made by City in reaction to these latest reports.