Napoli set imminent deadline for Man City, Utd to sign €75m star

Manchester City have until the end of the week to sign Kalidou Koulibaly, according to reports in Italy.

Koulibaly has emerged as a top defensive target for Man City, who are chasing another defensive reinforcement after signing Nathan Ake earlier in the transfer window.

Rivals Manchester United have also reportedly entered the race, while Paris Saint-Germain want to take him to Ligue 1.

However, any interested party will have to act fast, as Gazzetta Dello Sport claim Napoli want to decide Koulibaly’s future before the Serie A season starts.

Napoli face Parma on Sunday in their season opener, by which time they could have taken Koulibaly off the market.

The Serie A side are open to selling Koulibaly for the right price, but their demands are high. Whereas Man City have only offered up to €70m, Napoli want more than €75m.

Negotiations have not been easy because the two clubs are refusing to communicate directly. City are still bitter about Napoli pulling out of their deal to sell Jorginho to them two years ago before the midfielder moved to Chelsea instead.

Gattuso happy to keep Koulibaly

Napoli are not under immediate pressure to sell Koulibaly, who is under contract for another three years. Therefore, if no acceptable offer arrives by the end of the week, he could stay at the Stadio San Paolo.

Indeed, coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed at the weekend that Napoli could keep the Senegal international.

He said: “Koulibaly has a precise asking price, and if the club doesn’t get the money it is asking for, then he won’t leave.”