Manchester City are turning their attention to Benfica center-back Ruben Dias after failing to reach an agreement to sign Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, according to BBC Sport's Simon Stone.
City are prepared to offer Nicolas Otamendi as part of a €55-million package for Dias, The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reports, but it's unclear whether the Portuguese side would accept anything other than cash.
Manchester City are reportedly loath to meet Napoli's £80-million asking price for Koulibaly and are now considering moves for Dias, Sevilla's Jules Kounde, and Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez.
But Dias seems to be the most coveted. The 23-year-old has made 89 appearances for Benfica in the Primeira Liga since debuting in September 2017 and has become a consistent starter for the Portuguese national team.
Pep Guardiola is looking to strengthen his defense after laboring through the 2019-20 season with limited options at center-back. Aymeric Laporte, Cty's standout defender, missed several months with a knee injury, and John Stones was unconvincing in the months after the departure of former captain Vincent Kompany.
City signed Nathan Ake from Bournemouth for a reported £41 million in August, but Guardiola is said to be looking for a right-side center-back to partner with either Ake or Laporte, who prefer to play on the left.
