Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli believes star defender Kalidou Koulibaly will remain at the Serie A club, despite links to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Koulibaly had been strongly linked with Premier League giants City but Pep Guardiola s side agreed a deal to sign Benfica centre-back Ruben Dias on Sunday.
Ligue 1 champions PSG are also reportedly interested following Thiago Silva s departure, while the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked previously.
Asked about Koulibaly prior to Sunday s 6-0 demolition of Genoa, Giuntoli told Sky Sport Italia: The team was completed in January with Stanislav Lobotka and Diego Demme, who can play in a few different roles. With Amir Rrahmani, [Victor] Osimhen and [Andrea] Petagna, we are complete, so will now try to release players who won t have much time on the pitch.
I think Koulibaly is staying, we are very happy and so is he. I believe that he is staying.
90 | It s all over here a big win for our boys!! 6-0
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli)
Koulibaly helped keep a clean sheet as high-flying Napoli preserved their perfect start to the season against Genoa.
Napoli are yet to concede in two Serie A fixtures this season, while scoring eight goals to top the standings.
Gennaro Gattuso was also quizzed on Koulibaly following Giuntoli s comments and the Napoli head coach told Sky Sport Italia post-match: I hope he remains with us, selfishly speaking, because he gives us so much both in technical terms and as a character.
2 partite. 6 punti. 8 gol fatti. 0 subiti: non male
2 matchs. 6 points. 8 buts marqués. 0 buts encaissés: pas mal
2 games. 6 points. 8 goals scored. 0 goals conceded: not bad
6-0
— Koulibaly Kalidou (@kkoulibaly26)
The world has changed because of the pandemic and I realise all clubs need to balance the books. I hope the call won t arrive, but I ll be nervous about it until transfer deadline day.
Senegal international Koulibaly has called Napoli home since arriving from Genk in 2014.
The 29-year-old was instrumental as Napoli claimed the Coppa Italia title last season – the club s first piece of silverware since 2014.