According to @AlfredoPedulla, Manchester City have tabled an offer worth €63million plus bonuses to sign Napoli’s defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
However, Napoli demanded an initial fee of €70million for the in demand Senegalese.
The 29-year-old is on Liverpool’s radar since Lovren left Anfield for Zenit Saint Petersburg in a deal said to have being around €12million. The Reds are left with few options in their backline, capable of partnering their ever reliable Van Dijk.
Pep Guardiola has obviously been lacking quality options at the defense, with Laporte being the most consistent and trusted centre-back, who has featured prominently at the backline but has been unfortunate with injury problems all through the season.
John Stones and Otamendi lost their place in the team, which gave their 19-year-old academy graduate Eric Garcia a place in the first team and he eventually displaced the more experienced defenders with sublime performances.
Though the Citizens might lose the youngster this summer, as Barcelona are working on bringing the Spanish youth international defender back to Nou Camp, where he began his formative years.
With the recent acquisition of Nathan Ake from relegated side Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola still looks to be in the market for more quality additions.
It has been reported that Napoli will be willing to let go of Koulibaly but only a tempting offer will push them into agreeing a deal for the solid defender.
Under former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri’s attacking possession based football, Koulibaly’s ability to play the ball out from the back saw him playing a prominent role at the backline. His composure, defensive qualities and ability to play out from the back, makes him a perfect addition to the Citizens backline which will surely suit Pep Guardiola’s style of play.
With the Citizens only few pounds away from meeting Napoli’s demand, both clubs might eventually compromise and agree to a suitable offer before the transfer window closes.
