Kalidou Koulibaly is set to stay at Napoli this summer despite Manchester City's transfer interest, according to sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli.
Despite already signing Bournemouth's Nathan Ake, Pep Guardiola has been hoping to add another quality centre-back to his ranks and Koulibaly has been the top target throughout the summer.
However, negotiations with Napoli have proved difficult as president Aurelio di Laurentiis has been unwilling to lower his asking price for the 29-year-old and the relationship between the two clubs remains frosty following the collapsed Jorginho deal two years ago.
As a result, City have begun to look elsewhere for an alternative and, while there has been interest in Sevilla's Jules Kounde and Jose Gimenez of Atletico Madrid, the Blues have seemingly settled on signing 23-year-old Ruben Dias from Benfica.
With City walking away from any potential Koulibaly deal, Giuntoli has confirmed that the Senegal international will be remaining in Naples this summer.
"Our squad is complete, so will now try to release players who won't have much time on the pitch," Giuntoli told Sky in Italy ahead of his side's Serie A encounter with Genoa on Sunday.
"I think Koulibaly is staying, we are very happy and so is he. He has three years on his current deal, I believe he is staying."
Dias all but confirmed that he is set to leave Benfica on Saturday night after giving an emotional interview following a 2-0 victory over Moreirense, in which he scored and captained the side.
“I am very happy," he said.
"It was a very important game for me and to be able to consecrate the game with a goal, it was very special for me. It is a special moment and I think everyone already knows why.
"The people and the club gave me captaincy, it was very special for me."
