Manchester City are expected to intensify their pursuit of Kalidou Koulibaly after Napoli knocked back a €60-million offer, according to The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said earlier this week the defender would be allowed to leave the club this summer if a satisfactory bid is tabled for him. It's understood that City's initial approach was €15 million below Napoli's valuation, but the English outfit hopes a compromise can be reached.
There's apparently a difficult relationship between Manchester City and Napoli following their negotiations involving Jorginho in summer 2018. Pep Guardiola's side was reportedly convinced a deal for the Brazilian was struck before the midfielder followed Maurizio Sarri, his former boss at Napoli, to Chelsea.
However, Koulibaly's agent Fali Ramadani is working behind the scenes to ease relations between the two clubs, Romano reports.
Koulibaly would strengthen a defense that appeared vulnerable during City's 2019-20 campaign. Nathan Ake has already signed with the team from Bournemouth for a reported €43-million fee.
City have also boosted their attacking contingent with the arrival of Spanish winger Ferran Torres from Valencia for around €25 million.