As per Duncan Castles, Manchester City are leading the race for Napoli’s defender Kalidou Koulibaly ahead of Liverpool.
Since club icon Vincent Kompany left City last summer, Pep Guardiola has obviously being in need of defensive reinforcement, as he has been short of quality option at the defense even though England international defender John Stones have been available but his deep-in-form has made him unfit for selection while Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte have been hindered by niggling injuries.
It has been reported that Napoli will be willing to let go of Koulibaly who is set to leave his Italian club side this summer with PSG, Liverpool, Manchester United and recently Newcastle are also linked with a move for the 29-year-old rock solid defender.
Due to his versatility he can play both in his usual role as a central defender or as a full back in either the right or left flank in both a three or four man defense; he has even been deployed as a defensive midfielder.
Under former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri’s attacking possession based system, Koulibaly’s ability to play the ball out from the back saw him function prominently as a ball playing centre-back.
His composure, defensive quality and ability to play the ball out from the back makes him a suitable option that can seamlessly adapt to City’s manager Pep Guardiola’s system.
Duncan Castles has this to say: “Gattuso has been told Koulibaly will be sold this summer. Koulibaly himself is open to that and is ready for a change of environment. He’s keen to move to the Premier League.
“There’s been talk of Liverpool leading the race to pair him with Virgil van Dijk in what would be an impressive defence.
“While Liverpool are in the market for a centre-back, it’s very much dependent on what they’re able to do in other areas of the team.”
