Man City willing to take transfer risk with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly

straight to your inboxManchester City have given Napoli a deadline to conclude a deal for defender Kalidou Koulibaly - according to reports.City have already strengthened their defence with the addition of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth but the Senegal international remains Pep Guardiola's top summer target.The Blues and Napoli appear to have hit a stalemate in a projected deal, with the Italian club’s owner Aurelio Di Laurentiis not budging from his £72million valuation, while City do not want to

straight to your inbox Kalidou Koulibaly has given a reminder of what he offers on the pitch as Manchester City's pursuit of the Napoli defender continues. Pep Guardiola has wanted a premium centre-back for more than 12 months and Koulibaly had been identified as the key target ahead of the summer transfer window for the Blues.

straight to your inboxNapoli coach Gennaro Gattuso has said that Kalidou Koulibaly will not be sold if Manchester City don't meet their valuation.City have identified Koulibaly as their principal target as they look to secure a long-term partner for Aymeric Laporte at the back, but negotiations have been slow with frosty relations between the two clubs from the fallout of the Jorginho transfer two years ago.Despite missing out on their top target last summer because they refused to meet

straight to your inboxHere are your Manchester City morning headlines for Saturday, 12 September.Koulibaly “obsessive” over City switch - report Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is determined to join Manchester City – and his desire to move to the club is becoming ‘obsessive’.

straight to your inbox A proposal to take Aleks Zinchenko to Napoli as part of a deal for Kalidou Koulibaly would be heard, according to the agent of the Manchester City player. City have still not agreed a deal for the Senegalese defender as they look to correct a mistake from the last summer transfer window and replace Vincent Kompany.

straight to your inboxLionel Messi has confirmed that he will stay at FC Barcelona for another year, ten days after handing in a transfer request to spark an almighty transfer scramble.After two days of talks between the club and Jorge Messi, his father and agent, and a cutting statement fired in La Liga chief Javier Tebas's direction arguing publicly that the player's €700m release is no longer valid, the decision has been made for 33-year-old Messi to remain at the Nou Camp when he realised he

straight to your inboxHere are the Manchester City morning headlines for Friday, September 4.Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson says he does not want Lionel Messi “anywhere near the Premier League” amid speculation over the Argentine’s future at Barcelona. Manchester City have been linked with a sensational move for Messi after the six-time Ballon d’Or winner informed Barcelona of his desire to leave. However, Robertson admitted that he would not want Messi to join City as it would make

straight to your inbox Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has once again commented on the future of Kalidou Koulibaly, this time confirming that the defender will be sold if the transfer market allows. Koulibaly is Manchester City's top transfer target this summer as the club looks to drastically improve their defensive options, having already signed Bournemouth's Nathan Ake.

straight to your inbox Manchester City target Kalidou Koulibaly played in a reserve team for Napoli as their preparations for the new season got underway last night. And that is being seen in Naples as a hint that the Serie A side are already planning to be without the Senegal defender in the season ahead.City are relaxed about the signing, waiting for Napoli to drop their transfer fee demands.

straight to your inbox England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton has joined fellow Lionesses Anita Asante and Danielle Carter to call on players to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement when the Women’s Super League season kicks off next weekend. Houghton revealed that teams have been taking a knee in their pre-season friendlies, and added that she expected it to continue in Saturday’s Women’s Community Shield match against Chelsea at Wembley.

straight to your inboxManchester City would reportedly be willing to use Eric Garcia and Angelino as make weights in a deal to sign Lionel Messi, if they can't get the Barcelona star on a free.Messi shocked the football world on Tuesday night as it emerged that he had informed Barcelona that he wants to leave the club in the wake of their humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has asked the club's hierarchy to honour a clause in his

straight to your inboxFormer Manchester City defender Richard Dunne believes the signing of Lionel Messi could have a similar effect on the club as the arrival of Robinho in 2008.Dunne was City captain when Sheikh Mansour bought the Blues and has recalled the difference made overnight as world-class players started to arrive.The signing of Robinho was a turning point in City’s history and Dunne thinks Messi’s arrival could have a similar effect.“It was brilliant,” Dunne told Sky Sports.