Manchester City are being invited to return for £60million Kalidou Koulibaly with Napoli keen to complete a deal.
The Italians are desperate to land Lille defender Gabriel as their replacement but can’t buy him until they have sold 29-year-old Koulibaly.
Arsenal have already agreed a £17million deal with Lille for Gabriel, full name Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães.
It means Mikel Arteta could snatch him from under Napoli’s noses unless they can sell Koulibaly quickly.
City have so far been unwilling to do business at the £70million for the Senegalese international want due to his age with no resale value.
City’s interest in Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos as an alternative means they hold all the cards and could shave even more off Koulibaly’s valuation.
Manchester United are also keen on Koulibaly but the Senegal captain is believed to be keen to go to City.
Guardiola remains keen to add to his defensive ranks despite the £41million capture of Nathan Ake.
The Champions League loss to Lyon once more highlighted City's defensive deficiencies, while Eric Garcia wants out.
The young Spaniard has one year left on his contract and is unwilling to sign a new deal as he seeks a move back to Barcelona.
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