Napoli Ready To Deal Off Koulibaly, Milik Once Asking Fee Met

SSC Napoli is ready to move forward without two of its stars. Kalido Koulibaly and Arkadiusz Milik are linked to potential transfers and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis admits that the two are on their way out. However, this is on the premise that the fees needed to get the two players are met.

“Koulibaly and Milik are both on their way out, transfer market permitting,” De Laurentiis said to Canale 21. “So, if the transfer market allows us to sell these two excellent players, we will know how to replace them. If not, then we’ll discuss it again next year.”

Koulibaly is strongly linked to a move to Manchester City with clubs like Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain also in play. In a previous post, De Laurentiis opted to remain mum and told media to direct Koulibaly-related questions to the three clubs. Other teams linked to the Senegal player include Liverpool and Chelsea.

“You should ask Manchester United, City or PSG this question,” De Laurentiis said. “In other words, those who can afford to pay certain amounts."

As for Milik, the Polish footballer has been linked to a possible move to Italy. The 26-year-old has also been linked to joining either Juventus or Roma. The interest ramped up after the Polish striker scored 11 times in Serie A last season, Goal reported.

With plenty of attention on Koulibaly and Milik, De Laurentiis seems pretty aware that both are good as gone. However, unless clubs settle their asking fee nothing is official.

Regardless, De Laurentiis is thinking ahead. He knows he needs to find replacements once the two players depart. It could happen this summer or next. Either way, Napoli is ready for anything.

Gli Azzurri wants roughly $91 million for Koulibaly and $59 million for Milik. Koulibaly is under contract until 2023 while Milik’s deal expires at the end of the coming season.

Hence, selling Milik now makes sense considering he could walk for free next season. Koulibaly costs more but joining the Sky Blues makes sense. Pep Guardiola is looking for a new leader to replace Vincent Kompany and Koulibaly could be that guy according to former City captain Richard Dunne.

“They have spoken about Koulibaly for a while and they are looking for a leader, they are looking for someone to replace Vincent Kompany. It’s been a problem when Vince was here and he was injured, they missed a center-back of that style," Dunne said.