{"id":560267,"date":"2020-07-30T10:29:46","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T14:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=560267"},"modified":"2020-07-30T10:29:46","modified_gmt":"2020-07-30T14:29:46","slug":"report-manchester-city-still-targeting-kalidou-koulibaly-despite-reported-nathan-ake-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/30\/report-manchester-city-still-targeting-kalidou-koulibaly-despite-reported-nathan-ake-signing\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Manchester City Still Targeting Kalidou Koulibaly Despite Reported Nathan Ake Signing"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Nathan Ake reportedly on the verge of signing for Manchester City<\/a> from Bournemouth <\/a>– as reported by Fabrizio Romano <\/a>– many assumed that any deal for Kalidou Koulibaly<\/a> would be off the table. However, according to The Athletic’s Sam Lee<\/a>, City have always been in the market for two centre-backs, and the signing of Nathan Ake should be unrelated to any progress or lack of progress with Koulibaly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kalidou Koulibaly Still a Target For Manchester City<\/span><\/h2>\n

City Centre-Back Profile Clear\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The reported arrival of Nathan Ake gives Pep Guardiola the perfect back up to Aymeric Laporte<\/a>. The Dutch defender is the left-footed centre-back that Manchester City<\/span>\u00a0desperately lacked in the absence of Laporte last season. The hope from a City point of view is that Ake will be able to comfortably replace Laporte should any injury concerns arise once again.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for Koulibaly, Manchester City are hoping to sign an experienced defender who can make an instant impact at the Etihad. Fabrizio Romano<\/a> has reported, however, that tensions are still high between Napoli<\/a> and Manchester City after Jorginho<\/a> seemingly snubbed a move to the Etihad in favour of one to Chelsea<\/a> two years ago. These tensions could make a reasonable deal difficult to negotiate for Manchester City this summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

City Rebuilding For Title Charge<\/span><\/h3>\n

After losing out on the Premier League<\/a> title by 18 points this season, Manchester City are looking to rebuild this summer. So far, according to Romano,<\/a> they have all but secured deals for\u00a0Ferran Torres<\/a> and Nathan Ake – strengthening their squad significantly. With Koulibaly still a target, too, Pep Guardiola’s side look set to be better positioned than ever to take back their Premier League crown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Manchester City will certainly be a team to keep an eye on this summer as they once again splash the cash and rebuild.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>