Manchester City continue to be linked with Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, but the Italian side will only sell him for a ‘great offer’, it has been claimed.
As per Italian journalist Marco Giordano, City will have to match Napoli’s asking price for the Senegalese, but their officials are working to reduce (h/t SI) the Italian side’s price tag for Koulibaly.
The 29-year-old central defender has been a part of the Italian side since 2014, but with COVID-19 hitting Italian football hard, Napoli could let go of their prized possession.
The Senegal international has three more years remaining on his current contract.
Kalidou Koulibaly to Manchester City – How will he fit in?
It seems that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s No. 1 priority ahead of the 2020-21 season is to strengthen the City backline. The Premier League side have already signed Nathan Ake for a fee £41 million, and could add further reinforcements.
Koulibaly could transform this City team and have the kind of impact that Virgil van Dijk had on the Liverpool team. The experienced Senegal international is strong, quick and excellent defensively, while also being a very good player in creating attacks from the back.
A calm and composed passer, Koulibaly can pick out long and short passes, while also dribble out of the defence. The 29-year old is an organiser at the back, and his ability to read situations and put a foot in when needed will be a massive boost for the City defence.
Koulibaly will most likely slot alongside Laporte at the back, as the right and left-foot combination of the two defenders would work well. Ake could be a backup centre-back or fill in at left-back, or as part of a three-man defence, if Guardiola decides to change things around at City.
Guardiola’s side have put more emphasis on playing the ball and not so much on actual the elements of defending, and that is where Koulibaly would be a breath of fresh air. He could help City bridge the huge gap that existed between Manchester City and Premier League champions Liverpool last season.
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