Manchester City are yet to make a €70m offer for Kalidou Koulibaly, and it is unlikely the deal will be finalised ‘within a few hours’ as has been claimed.
That’s according to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato, who has dismissed rumours regarding the Senegalese defender’s potential move to the Etihad.
City are keen to add another centre back to their squad after securing Nathan Aké’s signature earlier this summer and have been heavily linked with a move for the Napoli centre back for several months.
The two clubs are believed to have been locked in negotiations over as asking price, with Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis holding out for a big fee.
Manchester City are thought to be leading the race for his signature and a report today indicated they have made a second bid and the transfer ‘could be a question of hours’.
Venerato says that is not the case, though.
“Koulibaly-City slowed down in time. According to the Senegalese entourage, there is still no €70m offer from Manchester,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss, relayed by Calcio Napoli 1926.
“Even Napoli brake on the alleged acceleration of the last hours.
“The times are therefore not as short as some believed, the operation will not close within a few hours.
“The entourage says the news of the offer that comes close to what De Laurentiis is asking is not true. In fact from Naples they let it be known that to date the City has not yet formulated this offer.
“Until there is an agreement, the inclusion of other teams, such as PSG and Manchester United, is not excluded.”
It seems the asking price remains the biggest issue in the negotiations, with City yet to offer what Napoli want.
That seems to be €70m or above, with it well established that they need to raise funds after spending big on striker Victor Osimhen this summer.
Their need to raise funds could end up working in City’s favour, something journalist Mimmo Malfitano can see happening given his comments to the same station.
“Napoli are respecting the times,” Napoli Magazine quote him saying.
“There was a flourishing period, the one with Benitez, with Sarri, then there was a moment of confusion with Ancelotti, and now we are trying to restart with Gattuso.
“Now we are looking for young people with great motivation to replace the players who have reached the age of 30, who have given so much to Napoli but who objectively no longer have the necessary incentives to start again.
“In my opinion, the money offered by City for Koulibaly will be accepted by De Laurentiis. In the end, you have to capitalise, and you can’t stand still for too long.
“Between the January market and Osimhen, he spent 150 million euros and something will have to be paid back.
“Indeed, Giuntoli must sell before buying. At the moment, this is the Naples policy.”
