Man Utd and City 'set to lock horns in battle for Koulibaly & Skriniar'
Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly both targeting the same centre-backs this summer - including Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it a priority to bolster his ranks and Koulibaly has long been at the top of the club's wishlist.
And they may well step up that bid now Napoli have seemingly dropped their valuation to £70m, while Skriniar is another potential target as United look to bring in a partner for captain Harry Maguire.
But according to The Independent, Pep Guardiola is also desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements after seeing his two-year title dominance ended by Liverpool this season.
Guardiola suffered a string on setbacks this season, with Aymeric Laporte enduring an injury-hit campaign while John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have been unable to consistently impress.
And Koulibaly is seen by Etihad chiefs as the perfect replacement for Vincent Kompany, who left last summer.
However Skriniar is also on their wishlist and could be part of a potential swap deal involving Sergio Aguero, who is believed to be wanted by Inter.
City are waiting to hear if their Champions League ban will be upheld - and their transfer plans are currently on hold until they find out the outcome of their appeal.
That may hand the advantage to United boss Solskjaer, who is keen to add reinforcements to his defence.
And former United striker Dwight Yorke reckons Koulibaly would be the perfect signing.
He told Stadium Astro : "Without a doubt I think he [Koulibaly]'s one that everyone is after and if United are going to make some big signings like they always do, I would definitely [sign him], if we can afford him then why not?
"I think he is the perfect fit to come into centre-half alongside Maguire, that would be awesome to have him there and suddenly we look a proper team then, with the likes of [Paul] Pogba and Bruno [Fernandes] and one of the holding midfielders and the front three forwards.
"We become a team who suddenly everybody will be fearing.
"The Italian league for me used to be the top league, it's very difficult. But certainly with everyone after him, what he's done in the Italian league so far he is a name everyone is after."
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it a priority to bolster his ranks and Koulibaly has long been at the top of the club's wishlist.
And they may well step up that bid now Napoli have seemingly dropped their valuation to £70m, while Skriniar is another potential target as United look to bring in a partner for captain Harry Maguire.
But according to The Independent, Pep Guardiola is also desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements after seeing his two-year title dominance ended by Liverpool this season.
Guardiola suffered a string on setbacks this season, with Aymeric Laporte enduring an injury-hit campaign while John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have been unable to consistently impress.
And Koulibaly is seen by Etihad chiefs as the perfect replacement for Vincent Kompany, who left last summer.
However Skriniar is also on their wishlist and could be part of a potential swap deal involving Sergio Aguero, who is believed to be wanted by Inter.
City are waiting to hear if their Champions League ban will be upheld - and their transfer plans are currently on hold until they find out the outcome of their appeal.
That may hand the advantage to United boss Solskjaer, who is keen to add reinforcements to his defence.
And former United striker Dwight Yorke reckons Koulibaly would be the perfect signing.
He told Stadium Astro : "Without a doubt I think he [Koulibaly]'s one that everyone is after and if United are going to make some big signings like they always do, I would definitely [sign him], if we can afford him then why not?
"I think he is the perfect fit to come into centre-half alongside Maguire, that would be awesome to have him there and suddenly we look a proper team then, with the likes of [Paul] Pogba and Bruno [Fernandes] and one of the holding midfielders and the front three forwards.
"We become a team who suddenly everybody will be fearing.
"The Italian league for me used to be the top league, it's very difficult. But certainly with everyone after him, what he's done in the Italian league so far he is a name everyone is after."
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