S.S.C. Napoli pulled a fast one on two clubs when it came to a verbal agreement with Gabriel Magalhaes. The move also raised the growing belief in the future of Kalidou Koulibaly who is on the list of several clubs.
Magalhaes is a player that has captured the fancy of several clubs. Manchester United and Arsenal F.C. are among the teams interested in the 22-year-old player. But it appears Gli Azzurri has beaten them to the Brazilian center-back with a $28 million bid.
These developments further place a question mark on the future of Koulibaly. Several clubs have been linked to the Senegal player with Manchester City said to be in the lead for his services. The reason behind this is believed to be because Koulibaly wants to play under Pep Guardiola.
So far, the latest on talks between Koulibaly and City is that both sides have agreed to personal terms acording to the Transfer Window podcast. The Sky Blues have been pursuing the 29-year-old for some time now so the progress on talks hardly comes as a surprise.
However, it remains that Napoli is not letting Koulibaly go until their asking fee is met. Originally, the club was asking $117 million for the Senegal center back. They have since lowered their asking price to $91 million.
Despite the interest and looming exit, Koulibaly said in the past he would not mind staying in Napoli. He prefers to end his career there if given the choice. Unfortunately, that is a call he is unable to make. If that asking fee set by Napoli is met by City or some other club, his exit is practically done.
"We will see what the president (Aurelio De Laurentiis) will decide and if he proposes to extend my contract, that would allow me to end my career here," Koulibaly said via Gazetta Dello Sport.
Even with City in the driver's seat for his services, other clubs interested in the 29-year-old player include Manchester United, Barcelona and Liverpool. With talks gaining steam, it may only be a matter of time before the move out of San Paolo Stadium is announced.
"I also read in the newspapers about my future. But I only want to think about playing, I am 100% [committed to] Napoli and it bothers me to be linked, every day, to this or that European club," Koulibaly said.
Koulibaly's impending move to City should help improve the defensive needs of Guardiola. Koulibaly established himself as one of the world's best center-backs since he arrived in 2014 from Genk. He has appeared in 239 matches for Napoli
