Napoli are prepared to offload centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly but president Aurelio De Laurentiis is refusing to sell for below €90m (£81m), according to reports in Italy.
Manchester City are believed to be favourites to land the 29-year-old, but the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool are also said to be keen on signing the defender this summer.
Some supporters on Twitter don’t think that Koulibaly is worth the price tag and they have called on the Citizens to move on to other targets:
I wouldn’t give half of that lol
— Xd (@Xd_beka_lol) August 11, 2020
If it’s 90 million they should move on, there are plenty of other worthwhile targets worth less than thag
— May (@KorverAintMe) August 11, 2020
Then he’ll be staying in Italy.
— Gaz / wkdsoul (@FMwkdsoul) August 11, 2020
Good lets go for Carlos
— LN (@northmcfc) August 11, 2020
Cant be the only one who wont really be bothered if we dont get him
— Tshegofatso (@itistshego) August 11, 2020
Walk away and don’t look back. Koulibali will flip at city.
— sp (@t3rrywr1st) August 11, 2020
Diego carlos it is
— Shyne (@carlosnumberten) August 11, 2020
Other fans feel that the Manchester club should just pay what Napoli are asking for:
If Pep wants him we should pay
— Graham Senior (@citydoc56) August 11, 2020
If that’s what it’s gonna cost just pay it ffs
— Mackenzie (@KillerKun172) August 11, 2020
Napoli do appear to be operating under the assumption that the global health crisis will not affect transfer prices. If they don’t lower their demands, City are likely to look elsewhere.
Pep Guardiola’s side would be wise, though, to be patient. There are claims in Italy that De Laurentiis will be forced into selling some players in order to balance the books after already spending large sums on new signings.