Koulibaly tipped to stay at Napoli as nervous Gattuso waits for transfer window to close

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.

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