Manchester City’s interest in Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly has been widely covered in Italy.
La Repubblica on Thursday reported the Etihad club are ‘serious’ about signing the 29-year-old.
It was also explained City are ‘not far away’ from reaching an agreement to secure the Senegal international’s services.
Sport are now of the belief Koulibaly will take Eric García’s place in the English club’s squad.
García has entered his final year of contract, and Pep Guardiola confirmed last week the 19-year-old has decided against signing an extension at the Etihad.
Barcelona are interested in the Spain U21 international and have made him their top centre-back target for the next season.
‘City seek replacement for Eric García’ is the title of Sport’s report, and Koulibaly is the only target discussed by the newspaper.
Reports coming out of Spain last week stressed City are demanding €23m plus €12m in variables to let their player leave.
Friday’s edition of Sport states: ‘City continue to ask €23m to free Eric Garcia, despite the fact that they risk losing him without receiving any compensation in June 2021’.
The Catalan club had earlier set a €10m valuation for García. It was also stated Barca will look to sign him on a free transfer in 2021, if they fail to land him this summer.
Sport’s latest report suggests Guardiola’s side are unwilling to reduce the defender’s asking price, making it difficult for Barcelona to sign him this summer.
