Manchester City are said to have ramped up their summer transfer activity in the last 24 hours by closing on an £84million double swoop.
According to sources in Italy, the Blues are claimed to have made a big bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, tabling a £57million offer, with add-ons.
And the rumour-mongers have it that football director Txiki Begiristain has been doubly busy, pursuing a £27million move for want-away Bayern midfielder Thiago, a target for Liverpool.
But well-placed sources at City are pouring cold water on both stories.
The club has never denied that Koulibaly is a target, and they are still interested in the Senegal international.
But no bids have been made for the player, and City have not even given Napoli notice that a bid is about to be made.
The two clubs have been a long way apart in their valuations of Koulibaly, with Napoli owner Aurelio di Laurentiis slapping an £80million price tag on the player when City's interest first became apparent.
Napoli are so sure they will sell Koulibaly that they are close to agreeing a £22million deal for Lille's Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
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But City's valuation is much lower, and even though di Laurentiis has lowered his price - to £71million and then, possibly, to £62m - City are staying cool.
As for Thiago, it seems Bayern are trying to drum up an auction for the player, but City have no interest and are unlikely to buy a midfielder this summer.
