Manchester City are leading the race for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, according to the Sunday Times reporter Duncan Castles.
Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, the journalist claimed that people close to the centre-back had told him that the player thinks there is a “strong chance” of him moving to the Etihad.
Supporters on Twitter had a mixed response to the news, with some excited by the prospect of signing Koulibaly, while others have questioned whether the club would spend so much on a 29-year-old:
Yes!! This would be a tremendous signing for City.,
— Matthew Miller (@MillerMattu) June 23, 2020
Laporte and Koulibaly?? ?
— ︻╦╤─ (@PackOfHaZe) June 23, 2020
No thanks not at 29
— Zimenice (@Trribe_) June 23, 2020
Not at 29 with your fee?
— Dominic Murphy (@DominicMurphy97) June 23, 2020
He's pushing 30, tho…
— pasik (@pasik3) June 24, 2020
Sign him pls
— JohansenJR. (@TeohJohansen) June 24, 2020
We need him
— mackenzie (@MCFC16288) June 23, 2020
No we need young talent.
— Daniel Gill ?????????????????? (@DanielG64642476) June 23, 2020
Pretty nifty ain’t it
— J (@RiyadRoute) June 23, 2020
Skriniar – error prone (slightly hyped)
Ruben Dias – Big release clause
Dayot – Again unproven. Can't be CB number 2The only guy that fits all the boxes is Koulibaly but than again no point paying big amount for 29 year old especially if we get UCL banned.
— Romil (@RomilGala) June 24, 2020
It’s unlikely a deal will happen if Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis sticks to his original asking price of €100m (£90m), especially in the current financial climate.
There has been speculation in Italy that the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United could be prepared to match the figure but that is very much paper talk. City would probably only consider an offer if the price tag is reduced significantly.
