Manchester City ‘arm wrestling’ for signing, Citizens in ‘tug-of-war’ to get deal over line

Manchester City supporters may remember that multiple reports last week said Saturday would be key in the future of Kalidou Koulibaly and a potential move to Manchester City.

The defender’s agent, Fali Ramadani, was set to hand a new offer to Napoli, and they’d probably be minded to accept. If they didn’t, then City would start to seriously move on to other targets.

Guess what? Not a lot has changed.

There may be a good reason for that. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis was diagnosed with Covid-19 last week and travelled to a house he owns in Rome, so he’s close to expert medical assistance should he require it.

De Laurentiis’ condition hasn’t been a cause for serious concern, but given he’s 71-years-of-age and has faced previous health problems, every precaution is being taken. He’s been in isolation with his wife, and there’s obviously no visitors allowed, not even Ramadani.

Gazzetta dello Sport say Manchester City’s ‘arm wrestling’ with Napoli for Koulibaly continues, with the Premier League club not wanting to move higher than €70m.

There’s a ‘tug-of-war’, and De Laurentiis doesn’t want to give in. Gazzetta suggest he can’t keep up this stance for much longer, and is in ‘marathon’ phone conversations to try and reach a resolution.